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editorial
note
Ambedkar also analysed nationalism in the context of the country and thereby creating fertile conditions for the
demand of the Indian commercial community/class that upsurge of rank communalism. Indeed, what he wrote
sought to replace Europeans in the field of trade and before Independence has become a grim reality today.
In his 'Annihilation of Caste' lecture, Ambedkar He strongly felt that a society based on liberty, equality
described caste as anti-national and wanted to address and fraternity should be the only alternative to a caste
the scourge of caste discrimination and exclusion society, and that is why he attached greater importance
through the instrumentality of law, which he poetically to the principle of “one man, one vote; one man, one
described as “the greatest disinfectant against value”. To apply, it requires a concerted democratic
inequality”. In his speech in the Constituent Assembly, effort and high level of statesmanship and vision to
while stating that India is an integral whole, he cautioned, empower people and reclaim their dignity through the
“The sooner we realise that we are not yet a nation in spread of education and provision of livelihood eman-
the social and psychological sense of the word, the better ating from an inclusive and non-alienating economy as a
for us. For then only we shall realise the necessity of right. This is the true meaning of Ambedkar's national-
becoming a nation and seriously think of ways and ism, which is creative, compassionate and emancipa-
means of realising the goal.” Therefore, he stressed on tory in the universalistic sense.
justice, not only political and economic but also social
justice. According to him, the key components of social
focus
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
Part ONE 14
Current Affairs Analysis CONSTITUTION, POLITY AND GOVERNANCE
# GS Paper (Prelims) & GS Paper II (Main)
02 RAJYA SABHA
# Parliament 14
INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS
PRAGATI
# GS Paper (Prelims) & GS Paper II (Main)
# Governance 16
INDIA AND GERMANY
SOCIAL AUDIT
# Bilateral Relationship 02
#Governance 16
INDIA AND SAUDI ARABIA
DISQUALIFICATION OF MLAs
# Bilateral Relationship 03 #Polity #Constitution 17
INDIA AND NEPAL INDIA JUSTICE REPORT 2019
# Bilateral Relationship #India and its Neighbourhood 04 # Governance 18
SABARIMALA REVIEW
INDIA AND BHUTAN
#Judgement #Empowerment 20
# Bilateral Relationship #India and its Neighbourhood 07
CASES REGISTERED UNDER UAPA
BRICS: BRASILIA DECLARATION
#Governance #Security 21
# India and the World 07
OFFICE OF PROFIT
ASEAN SUMMIT
#Constitution 22
# India and the World 09
GOVERNMENT BANS NATIONAL DEMOCRATIC FRONT OF
BIMSTEC PORTS CONCLAVE BODOLAND #Governance #Security 23
# India and the World 10 ELECTORAL BONDS
UIGHURS #Electoral Reforms 25
H1B VISA
# Bilateral Relationship 11
28
IRAN NUCLEAR ENRICHMENT
# Geo-politics 12 ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
PRACTICE QUESTIONS 13 # GS Paper (Prelims) & GS Paper III (Main)
NHAI TO ISSUE MASALA BONDS AIFs- BOOST FOR THE REAL ESTATE SECTOR
#Finance 31 #Inclusive Growth 52
ELEPHANT BONDS TO TACKLE BLACK MONEY CONTROVERSY OVER THE RELEASE OF CONSUMER
#Capital Market 31 EXPENDITURE SURVEY RESULTS #Inclusive Growth 53
DECODING INDIA’S REFUSAL TO JOIN RCEP GLOBAL MICROSCOPE ON FINANCIAL INCLUSION REPORT
SUPREME COURT’S MAJOR PUSH FOR IBC INDEX OF INDUSTRIAL PRODUCTION (IIP)
EASIER ENTRY NORMS FOR MARKETING OF FUELS GOODS TRADE BAROMETER INDEX
MANGROVES
70 # Geography 83
#Space 71 #Conservation 86
#Technology 73
PEGASUS
92
#Technology 74
SURANGA BAWADI
78 #Ancient India #Medieval India 93
118
103 TAKING CARE OF THE ELDERLY
# Ethics #Health AMAN RAWAT (EX-STUDENT) 119
MISCELLANEOUS MANAGING WORK AND HOME – IS THE INDIAN
BALLON D'OR WORKING WOMAN GETTING A FAIR DEAL?
#Global Award #Football 103 # Empowerment RICHA BHARTI (EX-STUDENT) 121
WORLD ATHLETICS WITH GREAT POWER COMES GREATER RESPONSIBILITY
#Global Award #Football 103 # Social Justice #Empowerment
QUIZ TIME AANCHAL RITOLIA (EX-STUDENT) 124
Part ONE
Current
affairs
analysis
logical . simple . targeted
analysis & explanation
of all relevant news of the month
INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS
# GS Paper (Prelims) & GS Paper II (Main)
# Bilateral Relationship Both sides acknowledged their joint responsibility for the
protection of the planet and mitigating climate change
through enhanced promotion of renewable energy and
increasing energy efficiency, at the same time reducing their
carbon footprint.
International Relations
INDIA AND SAUDI ARABIA Jamal Khashoggi was killed in the Saudi consulate in Istanbul.
Hence, the visit was a vote of confidence in the leadership of
Crown Prince bin Salman.
# Bilateral Relationship
AN OVERVIEW ON INDIA AND SAUDI ARABIA
RELATIONSHIP
Historically: Up until Cold War period, India-Saudi Arabia ties
were mainly determined by the Pakistani factor. For decades,
IN NEWS this prevented both New Delhi and Riyadh from discovering
Prime Minister of India travelled to Saudi Arabia to attend the the strategic importance of engaging one another. But, over a
Future Investment Summit held in Riyadh. This bonhomie has period, they have begun to disentangle themselves from
come about at a time when mega economic reform programs certain inhibitions of the past.
are underway in Saudi Arabia, for which it welcomes India’s Recent times: Growing closeness in relations. Strategic
economic as well as technological assistance. importance been accorded by both countries to one another.
Likewise, India looks for Saudi investments in India’s • Widening areas of cooperation - Today’s Indo-Saudi
petrochemicals, infrastructure, and mining sectors alongside cooperation is no longer restricted to the traditional
cooperation in economic and security matters. sphere of oil-energy trade. Instead, the relationship has
become multifaceted.
International Relations
• Kashmir issue - During National Security Advisor Conclusion - Suffice to say, India and Saudi Arabia are
AjitDoval’s visit to Riyadh early October this year- S. Arabia gradually scaling new heights by wielding their foreign
reportedly conveyed that it understood India’s “approach” policies with craftsmanship. Real politik and the strategic
and “actions” regarding the abrogation of Article 370 in interests of both sides have been instrumental in bringing the
Jammu and Kashmir. Thereby took neutral stance on ties closer than ever before.
Kashmir.
International Relations
• India claims that the river begins in Kalapani as this is The first ever meeting of the Joint Working Group (JWG) on
where all its tributaries merge. But Nepal claims that it Defence Cooperation in February 2019;
begins from LipuLekh Pass, the origin of most of its Visit of Defence Secretary of India in March 2019; and
tributaries.
The first-ever Defence-Industry Workshop organised in
OTHER INDIA-NEPAL BORDER ISSUE Tashkent in September 2019.
India and Nepal share an 1,800km open border such that • India has offered a concessional Line of credit of USD 40
Nepal is surrounded by India from three sides. Relations million for procurement of goods and services by
between the two countries were strained after Nepal blamed Uzbekistan from India.
India for imposing a border blockade in 2015, which crippled
• There has been an increase in direct exchanges
supplies to the landlocked nation.
between the armed forces on both sides related to
Susta area in southern of Nepal remains as another area of training, capacity building and education.
territorial dispute.
• Both Defence Ministers jointly presided over the curtain
Way forward: Nonetheless, India held that boundary raiser of the first India-Uzbekistan Joint Exercise,
delineation exercise with Nepal is ongoing under the existing “Dustlik 2019”. The bilateral exercise was conducted at
mechanism. It has further reiterated its commitment towards Chirchiq Training Area near Tashkent and focused on
finding a solution through dialogue in the spirit close and counter-terrorism, in which “the two countries share a
friendly bilateral relations. common concern”.
# Bilateral Relationship • The two Defence ministers also witnessed the first-ever
exchange over a video-link between College of Defence
Management in Secunderabad and Armed Forces
Academy of Uzbekistan in Tashkent.
International Relations
IN NEWS
Relations between Uzbekistan and India have their roots India and Russia agreed to form specific working groups for
deep in history. There are frequent references to Kamboja in after sales support of key defence platforms and intensify
Sanskrit and Pali literature, which is stated to include parts of efforts to finalise a cooperation programme for 2021-2030 at
present day Uzbekistan. In later years, Fergana, Samarkand, the 19th India-Russia Inter-Governmental Commission on
Bukhara in Uzbekistan emerged as major towns on the trade Military and Military Technical Cooperation meeting.
routes linking India with Europe and China. Further, efforts are been made to work closely for early
Buddhism is said to have travelled to China through conclusion of the India-Russia Inter-Governmental Agreement
Uzbekistan and Central Asia. Amir Timur was born near on Reciprocal Logistics Support.
• Trade relations between India and Uzbekistan are • India and Russia have an institutionalized structure to
governed by the Agreement on Trade and Economic oversee the complete range of issues of military technical
Cooperation signed in May 1993. cooperation. The India-Russia Inter-Governmental
Commission on Military Technical Cooperation (IRIGC-MTC)
• India’s export: Pharmaceutical products, mechanical
was set up in 2000 as the apex of this structure, is valid till
equipments, vehicles, service, optical instruments and
2020.
equipment.
• Joint exercises between the two Armed Forces are held
• India’s import: Fruit and vegetable products, services,
under the title "INDRA".
fertilizers, juice products, extracts and lubricants.
Recent times: Co-operation has expanded beyond buyer-
CULTURAL RELATIONS
seller relationship towards joint research and development,
• Uzbek Radio completed 50 years of Hindi broadcasting in training and service to service contacts.
2012. Uzbek TV channels regularly show Indian films and
serials.
International Relations
• India and Russia have deepened their Make in India There are a number of institutional mechanisms between
defence manufacturing cooperation by signing India and Bhutan in areas such as security, border
agreements for the construction of naval frigates, KA-226T management, trade, transit, economic, hydro-power,
twin-engine utility helicopters (joint venture (JV) to make 60 development cooperation, water resources. There have been
in Russia and 140 in India), Brahmos cruise missile (JV with regular exchanges at the Ministerial and officials’ level,
50.5% India and 49.5% Russia). exchanges of parliamentarian delegations to strengthen
• In October 2018, India inked the historic agreement worth partnership in diverse areas of cooperation.
US$5.43 billion with Russia to procure five S-400 Triumf Hydropower Cooperation: Hydropower projects in Bhutan
surface-to-air missile defence system, the most powerful are an example of win-win cooperation, providing a reliable
missile defence system in the world ignoring America's source of inexpensive and clean electricity to India,
CAATSA act. generating export revenue for Bhutan and cementing our
Intergovernmental Agreement (IGA) for mutual Bilateral Trade: India is Bhutan's largest trading partner.
cooperation in joint manufacturing of spares, components, Major exports from India to Bhutan are mineral products,
aggregates and other material related to Russian or Soviet- machinery and mechanical appliances, electrical equipments,
origin defence equipment. base metals, vehicles, vegetable products, plastics and
articles.
International Relations
year's summit was “BRICS: economic growth for an innovative member countries. This would not only lead to their
future”. economic growth and development but would also
BRICS countries account for 50% of the world's economic strengthen international trade flows. In this regard, the
growth. Despite the recession in the world, the BRICS countries BRICS Business Council have created a roadmap to achieve
accelerated economic development, drove millions of people the $ 500 billion Intra-BRICS trade target by the next
and innovation. • BRICS Local Currency Bond Fund: The member countries
have resolved to promote development of BRICS local
IMPORTANT HIGHLIGHTS OF THE SUMMIT
currency bond markets and agreed to take forward the
• Establishment of the Innovation BRICS Network establishment of BRICS local currency bond fund.
(iBRICS): The iBRICS Network is to be a mechanism for
• Intra-BRICS Cooperation: The BRICS member countries
direct dialogue among actors of innovation of the BRICS
had established the BRICS Partnership on New
countries, which will promote mutual support, joint
Industrial Revolution (PartNIR) during the Johannesburg
projects and the exchange of best practices with a view to
Summit held in 2018. The PartNIR aims at deepening
advancing BRICS systems of innovation.
BRICS cooperation in digitalisation, industrialisation,
• Promotion of Trade: A Memorandum of Understanding
innovation, inclusiveness and investment, to maximise the
among BRICS Trade and Investment Promotion Agencies
opportunities and address the challenges arising from the
(TIPAs) has been signed so as to achieve the $ 500 billion 4th Industrial Revolution. The member countries are set to
Intra-BRICS trade target by the next summit.
take forward the cooperation in the field of 4th Industrial
• Science and Technology: The member countries have Revolution to strengthen their relationship.
decided to adopt New Architecture on Science, Technology
• Strong Commitment to Strengthening and reforming
and Innovation (STI) to be implemented through the BRICS
the multilateral system: One of the common agendas of
STI Steering Committee.
the BRICS grouping is to work together to strengthen the
• Energy Cooperation: In order to strengthen energy global governance architecture such as UN, WTO, IMF etc.
cooperation between the member countries, the Terms of The member countries have repeatedly highlighted that
Reference have been laid down before the BRICS Energy these international institutions have come to be
Research Cooperation Platform. dominated by the developed countries and have not
• BRICS Women Business Alliance (WBA): It aims at accorded due importance to the developing countries. For
increasing the role of women as drivers of economic instance, both China and India have been demanding for
growth in the BRICS member countries. quota reforms in the IMF so as to strengthen their voting
rights. Similarly, the developing countries have been facing
• Counter-Terrorism: The first Seminar on BRICS Strategies
the growing onslaught of the present trade war initiated by
for Countering Terrorism was organized to strengthen the
USA.
BRICS Security Cooperation against terrorism and other
organized crimes. Hence, the member countries have reiterated that they
would continue to work together to make international
IMPORTANT TAKEAWAYS FROM THE BRASILIA
institutions more inclusive, democratic and representative,
DECLARATION through greater participation of emerging markets and
• Economic and Financial Cooperation: The BRICS developing countries in international decision-making
countries have been the main drivers of global growth • Commitment to Paris Agreement: The BRICS member
over the last decade and currently represent close to a countries face the common challenge of climate change
third of global output. Hence, their continued growth is and global warming. Hence, the member countries have
extremely critical to revive the present slowdown in the expressed their commitment to sustainable development
World Economy. In view of the on-going trade war, the in its three dimensions - economic, social and
member countries have highlighted the need for environmental in a balanced and integrated manner.
strengthening trade relationship between the BRICS
International Relations
International Relations
Asian, Southeast Asian, and South Asian regions, based on • Following the inclusion of Myanmar in 1997 during a
the ASEAN Plus Six mechanism. special Ministerial Meeting in Bangkok, the Group was
• Membership expanded to 18 countries including Russia renamed ‘BIMST-EC’ (Bangladesh, India, Myanmar, Sri
and the United States at the Sixth EAS in 2011. Lanka and Thailand Economic Cooperation). With the
admission of Nepal and Bhutan at the 6th Ministerial
• EAS meeting are held after the annual ASEAN leaders’
Meeting in 2004, the name of the grouping was changed to
meetings, and plays an important role in the regional
‘Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and
architecture of Asia-Pacific.
Economic Cooperation’ (BIMSTEC).
RELATED INFORMATION: RCEP
• Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) is a
proposed free trade agreement in the Asia-Pacific region
between the ten member states of the Association of
Southeast Asian Nations and their five FTA partners
(Australia, China, Japan, New Zealand, and South Korea)..
BIMSTEC PORTS
CONCLAVE
# India and the World
IN NEWS
• The regional group constitutes a bridge between South
The two-day ports' conclave of the Bay of Bengal Initiative for
and South East Asia and represents a reinforcement of
Multi-Sector Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC)
relations among these countries. BIMSTEC has also
was held at Vishakapatnam.
established a platform for intra-regional cooperation
WHAT IS BIMSTEC? between SAARC and ASEAN members. The BIMSTEC region
is home to around 1.5 billion people which constitute
• BIMSTEC is a regional organization comprising seven
around 22% of the global population with a combined
Member States lying in the littoral and adjacent areas of
gross domestic product (GDP) of 2.7 trillion economy.
the Bay of Bengal constituting a contiguous regional unity.
This sub-regional organization came into being on 6 June • In the last five years, BIMSTEC Member States have been
1997 through the Bangkok Declaration. able to sustain an average 6.5% economic growth
trajectory despite global financial meltdown.
• It constitutes seven Member States: five deriving from
South Asia, including Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Nepal, Sri OUTCOME OF PORTS CONCLAVE
Lanka, and two from Southeast Asia, including Myanmar
• Led to a pact for cooperation between Indian and Thailand
and Thailand.
Ports. Hence, India moved closer to accessing a strategic
• Initially, the economic bloc was formed with four Member gateway to South East Asia as it finalised three agreements
States with the acronym ‘BIST-EC’ (Bangladesh, India, Sri for cooperation between the Ranong Port in Thailand
Lanka and Thailand Economic Cooperation). and Indian ports in Kolkata, Chennai and Visakhapatnam.
International Relations
• Benefit: They shall contribute to BIMSTEC objective of and heavy troop deployments have likely changed that
strengthening connectivity and is part of India's Act East situation.
Policy. They shall help enhance economic partnership by
CONFLICT
cutting down the sea travel time between India and
• Xinjiang has long had a rebellious and autonomous streak,
Thailand from 10-15 days to seven days.
with the indigenous ethnic Uighurs clashing with the
authorities. There was a spike in demonstrations and
UIGHURS
demands for independence in the early 1990s as the
collapse of the Soviet Union gave birth to new nations, but
these were rapidly crushed.
# India and its Neighbourhood
• Ethnic and cultural dissonance - Uighurs allege the
Chinese state has been repressive, clamping down on
IN NEWS mosques and religious schools.
Around a million Uighurs Muslims have been bundled into ‘de- • Economic factors — as China’s development has lifted
radicalisation camps’ in China where they are detained and cities like Kashgar and Urumqi, young, qualified Han
subjected to ideological reorientation. The few survivors who Chinese from eastern regions have come to Xinjiang,
have managed to escape the country have been reported to taking the most lucrative jobs and triggering resentment
speak of physical, mental and sexual torture at these camps. among the indigenous population.
However, China resolutely denies all such allegations, claiming INDIA’S NEUTRAL STANCE
the camps to be ‘educational centres’ where the Uighurs are
• India has twice abstained from a U.N. vote on Uighurs.
being cured of “extremist thoughts” and radicalisation, and
learning vocational skills. • India has also in the past cancelled visa it had issued to a
Uighur leader exiled from China.
WHO ARE UIGHURS?
H1B VISA
# Bilateral Relationship
IN NEWS
US court has refused to strike down work permits for spouses
of H1B visa workers. It is a temporary relief for thousands of
Indians, particularly women, working in US.
International Relations
based in India, use to send skilled workers to the US. The • As on the electoral agenda, Donald Trump unilaterally
draft bill aimed to make it difficult to replace US pulled America out of accord in May 2018 despite IAEA
employees with foreign workers and experts say it is likely (International Atomic Energy Agency) assurances that Iran
to deal a body blow to companies such as Tata was in compliance with the terms of the multilateral
Consultancy Services Ltd (TCS), Infosys Ltd and Wipro Ltd agreement. He reasoned that the deal didn’t address
in its present shape. Iran’s ballistic missile program or its involvement in
Google, Facebook may also suffer as they would find it • Impact on Iran: Withdrawal of USA from the deal
difficult to source talent from India. adversely affected the economy of Iran. It halted promised
international business deals and dealt a heavy blow to
IMPLICATIONS ON INDIA
Iran’s already ailing economy. In the time since, the Trump
• If implemented, the reforms would have forced TCS, administration has said any country that imports Iranian
Infosys and Wipro to make fundamental changes in their
crude will face U.S. sanctions. It further worsened the
business strategies, including hiring more American economic situation of Iran.
workers and raising salaries they pay to employees
working on client sites in the US. This would have IRAN’S MOVE
adversely impacted India’s software services industry. • Iran has warned that it will resume nuclear activities
• Moreover, Indian Diaspora is said to be an adhesive outside the JCPOA following successive waves of crippling
between India-US relations. So, this issue may impact US sanctions that has blocked Iran’s oil exports, damaged
overall relationship between India and USA. its currency and its access to products such as medicines.
So, nuclear enrichment is her move in the direction.
ENRICHMENT
IMPLICATIONS ON INDIA
• US economic sanctions on Iran has impacted India’s oil
# Geo-politics imports from Iran (thereby curtailing oil import
diversification agenda of India), India’s investment in the
region like Chahabar port, etc. It has also impacted India’s
exports to Iran like pharmaceutical products, etc.
IN NEWS
• With the involvement of China, the changing politics of the
Iran has announced that it would inject uranium gas into 1,044
region has become even more important for India because
centrifuges that had previously been kept empty under its
it is adversely affecting soft diplomatic powers of India.
2015 nuclear deal with world powers. Earlier also, Iran had
cancelled the accreditation of an International Atomic Energy WAY FORWARD
Agency (IAEA) inspector who was prevented from entering the The Trump administration’s maximum pressure strategy was
Natanz nuclear facility. designed to force Iran to return to the table to negotiate a
IRAN NUCLEAR DEAL new deal. But it has failed to pressure the country to
negotiate a new, more comprehensive and binding
• In 2015, Iran struck the nuclear deal, also known as Joint
agreement, while mediation attempts, particularly by France,
Comprehensive Plan of Action, with P5+1 (United States
have remained unsuccessful.
of America, France, the United Kingdom, Russia and China
+ Germany). In exchange of lifting economic sanctions by So, both sides should strive towards striking a mid-way
USA, Iran agreed to limit its enrichment of uranium under solution through negotiations and peaceful talks. Unilateral
the watch of U.N. inspectors. action and subsequent retaliation would further worsen the
existing situation.
International Relations
practice questions
MCQs
1. Which of the following countries border/borders (a) South Korea (b) Malaysia
Uzbekistan? (c) Laos (d) Brunei
1. Mongolia
2. Turkmenistan 4. Consider the following statements about East Asia
3. India Summit:
Select the correct answer using the code given below: 1. It is a grouping of 16 countries.
(a) 2 only (b) 1 and 3 only 2. Both Russia and the United States are its members.
(c) 2 and 3 only (d) 1, 2 and 3 Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
(a) 1 only (b) 2 only
2. Consider the following statements: (c) Both 1 and 2 (d) Neither 1 nor 2
1. It is a nuclear deal signed between Iran and United States
only. 5. Consider the following statements:
2. Iran agreed to limit its enrichment of uranium under the 1. Brahmos cruise missile is a joint venture of India and
watch of U.N. inspectors. Russia.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct about 2. S-400 Triumf surface-to-air missile defence system is a
Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action? joint venture of India and France.
(a) 1 only (b) 2 only Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
(c) Both 1 and 2 (d) Neither 1 nor 2 (a) 1 only (b) 2 only
(c) Both 1 and 2 (d) Neither 1 nor 2
3. ASEAN does not include which of the following
countries?
descriptive Questions
Q1. The Indo-German Strategic Partnership is based on the common values of democracy, free and fair trade, and rules-based
international order. Discuss.
Or
How far do you think the Indo-German strategic partnership can be useful in achieving India’s renewable energy target?
Q2. India and Uzbekistan are working together to enhance cooperation in field of military medicine and military education.
Bring forth the challenges and opportunities of such cooperation for India in the changing geopolitical situation of
Afghanistan.
RAJYA SABHA
• The Government of India Act, 1919, accordingly,
provided that the Indian Legislature shall consist of the
Governor-General and the two chambers, namely the
# Parliament Council of State and the House of Assembly. The term of
the Council was fixed at five years.
IMPORTANT HIGHLIGHTS ON RAJYA SABHA Government of India Act, 1919 continued to function till
1947.
• It reflects India’s diversity through discussions, suggestions
• Even, during the constituent assembly debates, divergent
and opinions taken on the floor of the house.
views were expressed with respect to the importance and
• This diversity has strengthened India’s federal structure
constraints of having a second chamber to Indian
over a period of years as envisaged by Constitution makers
Parliament.
when they created a bicameral legislative framework.
• Despite different debates, the motion to have a second
• Rajya Sabha never dissolves and its continuance in
chamber was adopted by the Constituent Assembly and
perpetuity makes the House eternal.
the First election to the Council of States was held in March
• Rajya Sabha provides an opportunity to those away from 1952 and the House was constituted on 3rd April, 1952.
electoral politics to contribute to the nation and its
DIMENSION OF DISCUSSIONS IN CONSTITUENT
development.
ASSEMBLY FOR RAJYA SABHA
• Rajya Sabha is furthering the spirit of cooperative
The makers of our Constitution envisaged the role of the
federalism as envisioned by the Constitution of India.
Rajya Sabha along three dimensions:
THE HISTORY OF RAJYA SABHA IN INDIA
• As a legislative chamber of elders discussing, revising or
• In India, a Second Chamber was envisaged for the first delaying legislation which might be hastily conceived;
time under the Montague Chelmsford Reforms
• As an institution where interests of the states of the Indian
proposals.
Union could be projected and safeguarded and;
Considering various dimensions of discussions, on a balance, election. Such a continuity also gives legislative life to
the constitution makers finally agreed for a second chamber certain Bills (in case of dissolution of Lok Sabha) which is
to Indian Parliament. Thus, the Indian Constitution has given pending in the Rajya Sabha and has not been passed by
Rajya Sabha a unique and distinct role in Indian Federal the Lok Sabha.
Polity. • A Chamber not concerned with Government
Formation - The Government of the day is collectively
MULTIFACETED ROLES OF RAJYA SABHA
responsible to the House of People, the directly elected
• As a Revising Chamber – A second chamber allows for
House. Rajya Sabha being an indirectly elected House, has
revision and delay of legislations which at times becomes no role in the making or unmaking of the Government.
necessary as a system of check and balance and not
Since the Governments are not formed, nor do they fall on
simply to act as a clog in the wheel. A second revision
the basis of the numerical strength of the Rajya Sabha.
allows for a wiser and sober thoughts on the various
Hence, this Chamber is relatively free from the
impacts of any legislation.
compulsions of competitive party politics.
• As a Federal Chamber - Another significant role of the
• As an Effective Smaller Chamber - Rajya Sabha is
Rajya Sabha was guided by the need for giving a comparatively a smaller Chamber than the Lok Sabha as
representation to the states in the federal legislature.
its maximum strength is 250. Being a smaller House, it
Rajya Sabha is a federal Chamber where the affords opportunities for close camaraderie and greater
representatives of each state are elected by the elected
consensus-building among the Members. Spirit of
members of the Legislative Assembly of the state. As a
accommodation and adjustment among the Members,
federal Chamber, it has been assigned some special
across party lines, contribute to the effectiveness of this
powers, impacting the federal interests.
House. It also helps in better time management of the
Eg: Article 249 gives Rajya Sabha the power to initiate a House, besides discussions on wide ranging issues.
resolution supported by not less than two-thirds of the • As a Chamber Securing Executive Accountability - Rajya
members present and voting for Parliament to legislate
Sabha, as a constituent part of Parliament, has been
any matter in the State List in the national interest.
securing executive accountability through its various
Eg: Article 312 empowers Rajya Sabha to create one or committees. At present, there are 24 Department-related
more all India services when resolution supported by not Parliamentary Standing Committees in the Parliament, out
less than two-thirds of the members present and voting. of which eight are functioning under the direction and
• As a Deliberative Chamber - The prime role of the Rajya control of the Chairman, Rajya Sabha. The constructive
Sabha as a deliberative Chamber has been reinforced by criticism and considered recommendations made by such
the provision of nomination to the Rajya Sabha of 12 Committees have been found to be useful by the
Members noted for their contribution to literature, science, Ministries and Departments to tone up their functioning
art and social service. The high traditions of debates and and to formulate realistic budgets, plans and programmes
discussions in the House have guided the Members of for the welfare of the people.
Rajya Sabha not only to hold informed debates on public • As a Chamber of Ventilating Public Grievances - Its
issues but also to endeavour to make proceedings relevant Members, being the representatives of states, articulate
to public welfare. the concerns of respective states and their people. It has,
• As a Chamber of Continuity - Rajya Sabha is a permanent through well-established procedural devices such as
Chamber, not subject to dissolution and one-third of its Questions, Calling Attention, Special Mentions, Short
Members retire every second year. The hallmark of the Duration Discussion, Half-an-Hour Discussion, Motions,
PRAGATI
# Governance SOCIAL AUDIT
#Governance
IN NEWS
Prime Minister chaired the 31st interaction through PRAGATI —
the ICT based multi-modal platform for Pro-Active Governance IN NEWS
and Timely Implementation. The Department of Rural Development has decided to
ABOUT PRAGATI institutionalize the social audits in major schemes of Rural
Development, starting with National Social Assistance
• It is a multi-purpose and multi-modal platform that is
Programme and Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana-Gramin.
aimed at addressing common man’s grievances, and
simultaneously monitoring and reviewing important What is Social Audit? Social audit is a process in which,
programmes and projects of the Government of India as details of the resource, both financial and non-financial, used
well as projects flagged by State Governments. by public agencies for development initiatives are shared with
the community, often through a public platform. Social audits
• The PRAGATI platform uniquely bundles three latest
allow people to enforce accountability and transparency,
technologies: Digital data management, video-
providing the ultimate users an opportunity to scrutinise
conferencing and geo-spatial technology.
development initiatives. Therefore, an effective system of
• It also offers a unique combination in the direction of social audit at all levels of local self-government is critical to
cooperative federalism since it brings on one stage the ensure accountability and transparency in these
Secretaries of Government of India and the Chief institutions.
Secretaries of the States. With this, the Prime Minister is
PRESENT STATUS
able to discuss the issues with the concerned Central and
State officials with full information and latest visuals of the Social Audit is recognized by many, including the Comptroller
ground level situation. and Auditor General (CAG), as a powerful tool to enforce
transparency and accountability.
KEY FEATURES
Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee
• It is a three-tier system (PMO, Union Government
Act (MGNREGA) was the first Act to mandate Social Audits
Secretaries, and Chief Secretaries of the States)
by the Gram Sabha of all the projects taken up in the Gram
• Prime Minister will hold a monthly programme where he Panchayat. According to Section 17 of the MGNREGA,
will interact with the Government of India Secretaries, and 2005: ‘The Gram Sabha shall conduct regular social audits of all
Chief Secretaries through Video-conferencing enabled by the projects under the scheme taken up within the Gram
data and geo-informatics visuals; The programme will be Panchayat’. MGNREGA Audit of Schemes Rules was passed by
held once in every month on Fourth Wednesday at 3.30 the Central Government, in consultation with the Comptroller
PM-to be known as PRAGATI Day. and Auditor General (C&AG) in 2011.
Eight States have taken up Social Audit of 11 different It nullified the order barring the disqualified legislators
schemes including Pradhan MantriAawasYojana-Gramin from contesting re polls.
(PMAY-G), Swachh Bharat Mission (SBM), National Social SC states that this provision was neither under the
Assistance Programme (NSAP), Integrated Child Development Constitution nor under the statutory scheme.
Service (ICDS) and Mid-Day Meals (MDM).
It stated that the resignation of legislators cannot save
them from disqualification:
MLAs
does not vapourise by tendering a resignation letter to the
Speaker. A pending or impending disqualification action
does not become infructuous by submission of the
#Polity #Constitution resignation letter, when act(s) of disqualification have
arisen prior to the member’s resignation letter.”
to contest Assembly by-polls. In this analysis, let us understand legislature can be disqualified on the following grounds:
about disqualification as provided under Tenth Schedule of the Members of a Political Party: When voluntarily resigned
Indian Constitution. from his party or disobeyed the directives of the party
leadership on a vote. When does not vote / abstains as per
WHY WERE THE MLAS DISQUALIFIED?
party’s whip. However, if the member has taken prior
17 MLAs belonging to the ruling coalition led by Congress-JDS permission, or is condoned by the party within 15 days from
resigned and stated away from the trust vote which led to the such voting or abstention, the member shall not be
collapse of the government. Following which the speaker disqualified.
issued the orders to
Independent Members: If a member has been elected as
Disqualify the MLAs. “Independent”, he / she would be disqualified if joined a
Debar them from contesting the elections till the term of political party.
current LA gets over.
HOWEVER, THERE ARE EXCEPTIONS TO THESE • Presently the ranking assesses the four ‘pillars’ of the
GENERAL RULES: justice system i.e. police, prisons, legal aid and the
judiciary in each state in order to rank them.
Merger: If a member leaves the party as a result of the
merger of party with another party the rule of defection does • The report also examines 5-year trends to demonstrate a
not apply (A merger is said to take place when two third of state’s intention to improve access and delivery of justice
the members have agreed for merger). This was modified by by increasing resources and clearing blockages.
91st amendment, previously it was one third. HIGHLIGHTS OF THE REPORT
Presiding officer: If a member leaves his party temporarily • Large and Mid-Sized States: Top Performing
on account of being elected as the presiding officer of the (Maharashtra, Kerala and Tamil Nadu); Worst Performing
house to maintain the dignity of the position, he is not (Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Jharkhand)
considered as a defecting member.
• Small States: Top Performing (Goa, Sikkim, HP); Worst
ISSUES PERTAINING ANTI DEFECTION LAW: Performing (Tripura, Arunachal Pradesh, Meghalaya)
Role of the speaker • Huge Vacancies in Judiciary: Many states have vacancies
The partisan role played by the Speaker. that exceed 25% of the state’s own sanctioned strength.
For instance, India has about 18,200 judges with about
The law does not specify a time-period for the Presiding
23% sanctioned posts vacant.
Officer to decide on a disqualification plea
• Lower Share of Women: The Women are poorly
It curtails the freedom of speech within the parliament
represented in all the 4 pillars of justice. For instance,
It leads to the ignorance of local issues by individual women constitute only around 7% of the police.
representatives.
• Budgets for Justice System: Most States are not able to
fully utilize the budgets allocated to them by the Centre.
Further, the increase in spending on the police, prisons
INDIA JUSTICE REPORT and judiciary has not keep pace with the overall increase in
State expenditure.
2019 • Poor Case Clearance rates: Case Clearance Rate (CCR) is
the number of cases cleared in a year measured against
# Governance the cases filed that year. The Case clearance rate needs to
be higher so as to reduce the pending of the cases.
IN NEWS
Recently, the India Justice Report 2019 was released by the OFFICE OF CJI UNDER RTI
Tata Trusts in collaboration with Centre for Social Justice,
Common Cause and Commonwealth Human Rights Initiative. #Governance
This is the first-ever ranking of Indian States on justice
delivery. In this regard, let us look at some of the important
highlights of the report. IN NEWS
ABOUT INDIA JUSTICE REPORT 2019 In a landmark judgment, a Five Judge Bench of Supreme Court
of India headed by Chief Justice of India has held that the
office of Chief Justice of India is a public authority. CJI held that
transparency of office of CJI does not undermine
• Section 8 - Exemption from disclosure of information • Complicated procedures to deter applicants: Extremely
under certain criterion mainly dealing with security and complicated procedures have been formulated by High
sovereignty of the country. courts. For example, fees payment by few courts can only
be done in the form of court stamp. (exclusion of online
• Section 10 - Severability - Decouples personal information
payment)
from any disclosure.
• Section 4(1) (b) (automatic disclosure under RTI):
• Section 24 - Section 24 (1) of the Act specifies it clearly that
Proactive disclosure is the most efficient way of enforcing
the provision of the RTI Act will not apply to Intelligence
transparency. Most high courts do not abide by this rule.
and Security organisation except in cases of alleged
Human rights violation and/or Corruption. • Lack of administrative and financial transparency:
Most High Courts do not proactively publish details about
WHY JUDICIARY NEEDS TO BE UNDER RTI?
their budgets and expenditure.
• Section 24 of RTI Act - Judiciary is not mentioned under
• Courts far lagging the central government: On the
section 24.
index created in this report, not a single High Court was
• Financial matters like expenditures of courts are huge and able to match the convenience offered by the Government
disclosures will bring accountability. of India’s RTI Rules.
• Collegiums system operates in total secrecy. There is no
information available in public as to how candidates are
chosen for appointment. However, recommendations of
Collegium is now available on the website of Supreme
POLITICAL ADVERTISING
Court and the Collegium also provides reasons for which it
recommends or reject names for appointment, transfers
#Elections
or elevation to either High Court or Supreme Court.
• Section 10 of the act protects any private information so
IN NEWS
there is no threat of judges’ private information coming
into public. Twitter has recently announced that it will not carry political
advertising. Facebook on the other hand has said it will allow
WHY JUDICIARY NEEDS TO BE OUT OF THE PURVIEW political advertising and will not fact check such
OF RTI? advertisements as doing so might amount to stifling freedom
• Separation of the power could be violated - RTI could of speech. However, Twitter has argued that political
destroy the independence of Judiciary as in the name of advertising brings significant risk to politics as it can be used
personal information, it can be used as a tool to threaten for influencing voting behaviour.
the working and personal life of judges. HOW IS ONLINE POLITICAL ADVERTISING DIFFERENT
• Such disclosure may impact the independent way of FROM OTHER FORMS OF POLITICAL ADS?
functioning of Judges and the executive indirectly through
• Micro targeting of people is possible on online platforms
RTI can control their will over the judiciary. Thus, judicial
like Facebook.
independence can be at risk through surveillance of
members of judicial fraternity through RTI. • Invisibility of such advertising to general public.
• Caste/ religion based targeting breeds vote bank politics.
SABARIMALA REVIEW
Bench. According to Justice Nariman, the judgment of a
five-judge Constitution Bench was the last word on the
interpretation of the Constitution and need no further
#Judgement #Empowerment interpretation.
(a) the circumstances under which, and the class or classes of The Joint Committee of Parliament on Office of Profit
cases in which, a person may be detained for a period in two of its latest reports has observed that the
longer than three months under any law providing for expression has not been defined in the Constitution, the
preventive detention without obtaining the opinion of an Representation of the People Act, Parliament (Prevention
Advisory Board; of disqualification) Act or in any judgement delivered
either by a high court or the Supreme Court.
• Whether the government had the right to remove or Note: It is mandatory for the President and the Governor to
dismiss those holding such office? act according to such opinion as provided by the Election
Commission in case of disqualification on grounds of office of
• Whether the government pays the remuneration?
profit.
• What are the functions of the office holder? Are these
functions any different from the one he/she already
performs?
• Does the office holder perform these functions for the
GOVERNMENT BANS
government?
• Does the government exercises any control over the
NATIONAL DEMOCRATIC
performance of those functions?
Supreme Court held that if answers to any of these
FRONT OF BODOLAND
questions are in the affirmative, then the person
concerned can be said to be holding office of profit.
#Governance #Security
CONSTITUTIONAL PROVISIONS
Article 102 (1) (a) - A person shall be disqualified for being IN NEWS
chosen as, and for being, a member of either House of
As per the Union Home Ministry, the National Democratic
Parliament if he holds any office of profit under the
Front of Bodoland has been indulging in illegal and violent
Government of India or the Government of any State, other
activities, intended to undermine the sovereignty and
than an office declared by Parliament by law not to disqualify
territorial integrity of India to further its objective of achieving
its holder.
a separate Bodoland. Accordingly, the Centre has extended the
Article 103 (1) - If any question arises as to whether a
ban on Assam-based Bodo insurgent group NDFB by five years.
member of either House of Parliament has become subject to
any of the disqualifications mentioned in clause (1) of article NATIONAL DEMOCRATIC FRONT OF BODOLAND
102, the question shall be referred for the decision of the (NDFB)
President and his decision shall be final.
• The National Democratic Front of Bodoland is an armed
Article 103 (2) - Before giving any decision on any such separatist outfit which seeks to obtain a sovereign
question, the President shall obtain the opinion of the Bodoland for the Bodo people.
Election Commission and shall act according to such opinion.
• It is designated as a terrorist organisation by the
Government of India and has been listed in First Schedule
• NDFB traces its origin to Bodo Security Force, a militant • Consequently, the Plains Tribals’ Council of Assam
group formed in 1986. The NDFB was formed with the (PTCA) started to campaign for a separate Union Territory
purported objective of securing a ‘sovereign Bodoland’ in called Udayachal for the Bodos and other ‘plains tribes’ of
the areas north of the River Brahmaputra. Assam in 1960s.
• According to the ‘constitution’ of the outfit, which was • Liberation of Bangladesh further increased influx of people
adopted on March 10, 1998, nearly twelve years after its to Assam and this further alienated the Bodos in their
formation, the objectives of the outfit are the following home land and this in turn intensified the Bodo
Free the Bodo nation from the colonialist exploitation, All Bodo Students’ Union (ABSU) started agitating for the
Establish a Democratic Socialist Society to promote Liberty, • During the peak of insurgency in northeast India, a small
Equality and Fraternity; and group of educated Bodo youths formed an armed militia
called the Bodo Security Force (BSF) which was later
Uphold the integrity and sovereignty of Bodoland
renamed as the National Democratic Front of Bodoland
HISTORY OF BODOS & DEMAND FOR BODOLAND (NDFB) whose objective was to establish a sovereign Bodo
• The Bodos, an ethno-linguistic group believed to be the homeland.
earliest inhabitants of Assam, are one of the Indo- ABOUT BODOLAND TERRITORIAL COUNCIL
Mongoloid communities belonging to the Tibeto-Burman
• Bodo is one of the languages mentioned in VIIIth Schedule
branch of the Sino-Tibetan family.
to the Indian Constitution
• For centuries, Bodos maintained their original ethnic
th
• Bodoland Territorial Council (BTC) is an autonomous
identity. However, by 20 century, they had to tackle a
district council for Bodoland region of Assam constituted
series of issues such as illegal immigration, encroachment
under Sixth Schedule to the Indian Constitution. It has 46
of their lands, forced assimilation, loss of language and
executive members and is headed by the Chief Executive
culture.
Member.
• The 20th century also witnessed the emergence of Bodos
• Area under BTC jurisdiction is officially called Bodoland
as a leading tribe in Assam which pioneered the
Territorial Area Districts (BTAD).
movements for safeguarding the rights of the tribal
communities in the area. • The administrative unit has been created with a mission to
accomplish development in the area of economy,
• In the 1920s, a delegation of educated Bodos, the Bodo
education, preservation of land right, linguistic aspiration,
Plains Tribal, met the Simon Commission requesting for
socio-cultural and ethnic identity of Bodos.
the reservation of seats in the Legislative Assembly of
Assam. This marked the beginning of political awareness • To speed up the infrastructural development of
the Bodo Sahitya Sabha (BSS), was formed to preserve election November 2005, all the 40 members have been
and develop the Bodo language. formed to look after the development works in the
Bodoland Territorial Area Districts.
• The electoral bonds are bearer bonds and are PURPOSE OF INTRODUCING ELECTORAL BONDS
transferable by delivery. Hence, who finally and actually
• In an effort to clean the country from the evils of
contributes the bond to the political party will always be
corruption, black money and non-transparent political
unknown.
funding, the government -
• Considering this aspect, RBI in its reply to the government
disallowed cash donation to political parties beyond Rs.
stated that such a move by the government to introduce
2000; and
electoral bonds as bearer bonds would set a bad
introduced the concept of electoral bonds
precedent as such type of bearer bond have no trace of
their ownership. • A similar suggestion was made by the Election Commission
(EC) to provide an environment of cleaner and more
• RBI also warned that such bearer instruments have the
transparent election process.
potential to become currency and if issued in sizeable
numbers, can undermine faith in bank notes issued by RBI. • The concept of electoral bonds has been introduced to
restrict use of cash donations to political parties and
• As per reports, so far electoral bonds worth Rs. 6000
enhance transparency in the process of political funding.
crores have been sold since March, 2018. The share of
electoral bond received by each political party will become • However, political parties shall be entitled to receive
clear by October 2020 after audit reports are filed by donations by cheque or digital mode from their donors of
political parties. any amount.
practice questions
MCQs
1. Consider the following statements: Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
1. Bodo is one of the languages mentioned in VIIIth (a) 1 only (b) 2 only
Schedule to the Indian Constitution. (c) Both 1 and 2 (d) Neither 1 nor 2
2. Bodoland Territorial Council (BTC) is an autonomous
district council for Bodoland region of Assam 4. Consider the following statements with respect to
constituted under Fifth Schedule to the Indian Anti-Defection Law:
Constitution.
1. If a member has been elected as “Independent”, he /
Which of the statements given above is/are correct? she would not be disqualified if joined a political party.
(a) 1 only (b) 2 only 2. If a member leaves his party temporarily on account of
(c) Both 1 and 2 (d) Neither 1 nor 2 being elected as the presiding officer of the house to
maintain the dignity of the position, he is not
2. Consider the following statements: considered as a defecting member.
1. An office of profit means a position that brings to the Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
person holding it some financial gain, or advantage, or (a) 1 only (b) 2 only
benefit or perks apart from the public office which (c) Both 1 and 2 (d) Neither 1 nor 2
he/she currently holds.
2. Case of office of profit has to be decided on case to 5. Consider the following statements with respect to
case basis by the Courts and the Election Commission.. creation of Council of States:
Which of the statements given above is/are correct? 1. The Government of India Act, 1909 provided that the
(a) 1 only (b) 2 only Indian Legislature shall consist of the Governor-
(c) Both 1 and 2 (d) Neither 1 nor 2 General and the two chambers, namely the Council of
State and the House of Assembly.
3. Consider the following statements with respect to 2. First election to the Council of States was held in March
RTI Act: 1952 and the House was constituted on 3rd April,
1. Section 8 - Mandates automatic disclosure for public 1952.
entities for certain matters. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
2. Section 10 - Exemption from disclosure of information (a) 1 only (b) 2 only
under certain criterion mainly dealing with security and (c) Both 1 and 2 (d) Neither 1 nor 2
sovereignty of the country.
descriptive Questions
Q1. What is Social Audit? How does it empower the non-state actors in dealing with paralysis of implementation?
Q2. Highlight the importance and role of Rajya Sabha in strengthening democracy and cooperative federalism in India.
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
# GS Paper (Prelims) & GS Paper III (Main)
Lead Article
CONTRACT FARMING- A
demand. On the other hand, the buyer can reduce the risk
of non-availability of quality produce.
Tamil Nadu has recently become the first State in India to ►for Farmers:
enact a law on contract farming, based on the lines of a model • Improved Supply Chain: The supply chain in the
legislation put out by the Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers’ agricultural marketing has come to be dominated by large
Welfare. This piece of legislation passed by the state of TN number of intermediaries and middlemen because of
would go a long away in protecting the farmers' interests and which the farmers receive only 25-40% of the prices paid
enhancing their income. In this regard, let us understand in by the consumers. Contract farming streamlines the
detail about Contract Farming and how it can emerge as the supply chain, connects the farmers directly with the buyers
key tool for doubling farmers' income in India. and hence reduces the dependence of the farmers on the
WHAT IS CONTRACT FARMING? middlemen.
Economic Development
• Promote higher Investment: The lack of price uncertainty Hence, in order to ensure greater benefits to the small and
of the agricultural produce dissuades the farmers from marginal farmers, they have to be organised into Farmer
undertaking investment. Since, contract farming provides producer organisations (FPOs).
price certainty to the farmers, it would encourage higher • Exploitation of Farmers: There is a greater probability
investment by the farmers leading to increase in the that the disparate bargaining power between farmers and
agricultural production. buyers could also lead to exploitative contracts for
• Address Rural Indebtedness: Presently, the small and farmers. Hence, there is a need to set up an authority to
marginal farmers are dependent on informal sources such record these contracts and ensure that the farmers are not
as moneylenders for meeting their credit needs leading to exploited by the buyers.
higher levels of rural indebtedness. The Contract farming • May Lead to Monoculture farming: The Corporate
provides for assured inputs including credit to the farmers entities may be more interested to buy a particular
by the buyers and hence critical for reducing the rural agricultural product such as potato from a specific region
indebtedness. of a country. This can lead to promotion of monoculture
• Reduced Input Costs: Farmers need not transport their farming and hence would end up adversely affecting the
produce to the mandis, as buyers would collect the associated agricultural biodiversity within the region.
produce from the farm gate. This reduces farmers’ cost
WHAT IS THE EXISTING REGULATORY STRUCTURE
and hence translates into increased incomes
FOR CONTRACT FARMING?
►for Food Processing Industries:
Currently, contract farming requires registration with the
• Direct Procurement: Presently, the requirement for the Agricultural Produce Marketing Committee (APMC) in few
exporters and food processing Industries to procure the states. This means that contractual agreements are recorded
agricultural produce through the APMCs goes against their with the APMCs which can also resolve disputes arising out of
interests. Hence, contract farming benefits the buyers by these contracts. Further, market fees and levies are paid to
enabling them to procure the good quality produce the APMC to undertake contract farming.
directly from the farmers at lower prices.
The central government has formulated Model Agriculture
• Boost to Food Processing: The Food Processing Industry Produce and Livestock Contract Farming and Services
is considered as a sunrise sector with more than 10% (Promotion & Facilitation) Act, 2018 which provides for
annual growth. This sector has the ability to create large contract farming. Accordingly, the central Government has
number of employment opportunities. The contract asked the states to use this as reference while enacting their
farming would address one of the biggest constraints of respective laws.
the food processing Industry with respect to the lack of
WHAT ARE THE ISSUES WITH THE CURRENT
access to good quality raw materials and hence provide
greater fillip to the sector. STRUCTURE, AND HOW DOES THE DRAFT MODEL ACT
POTENTIAL PROBLEMS RELATED TO CONTRACT and other levies are paid to the APMC for contract framing
when no services such as market facilities and
FARMING
infrastructure are rendered by them. In this context, the
• Exclusionary in Nature: The buyers of the agricultural Committee of State Ministers on Agricultural Reforms
produce typically rely on economies of scale to achieve recommended that contract farming should be out of the
profit maximization and therefore often exclude small- ambit of APMCs. Instead, an independent regulatory
scale farmers. This would be untenable in the Indian authority must be brought in to disengage contract
context as a majority of Indian farmers are small and farming stakeholders from the existing APMCs.
marginal with lower surplus of agricultural produce.
Economic Development
In this regard, as per the draft Model Act, contract farming • Stockholdings limits on contracted produce:
will be outside the ambit of the state APMCs. This implies Stockholding limits are imposed through control orders as
that buyers need not pay market fee and commission per the Essential Commodities Act, 1955. Such
charges to these APMCs to undertake contract farming. provisions of stockholding limits can be restrictive and
Further, the draft Model Act provides for establishing a discourage buyers to enter into contracts. It was
state-level Contract Farming (Promotion and recommended that the buyers can be exempted from
Facilitation) Authority to ensure implementation of the stock limits up to six months of their requirement in the
draft Model Act. Functions of the Authority include (i) interest of trade. Under the draft Model Act, limits of
levying and collecting facilitation fees, (ii) disposing appeals stockholding of agricultural produce will not be applicable
related to disputes under the draft Model Act, and (iii) on produce purchased under contract farming.
publicising contract farming. Further, the sale and • Other recommendations: While contract farming seeks
purchase of contracted produce is out of the ambit of to provide alternative marketing channels and better price
regulation of the respective state/UT Agricultural realization to farmers, several other marketing reforms
Marketing Act. have been suggested by experts in this regard. These
• Registration and agreement recording: Under the draft include: (i) allowing direct sale of produce by farmers, (ii)
Model Act, every contractual agreement should be removing fruits and vegetables out of the ambit of APMCs,
registered with a Registering and Agreement Recording and (iii) setting-up of farmer-consumer markets, (iv)
Committee, which will be set up consisting of officials from electronic trading, and (v) joining electronic National
departments such as agriculture, animal husbandry, Agricultural Market for the sale of produce.
marketing, and rural development. Such a Committee can
WAY FORWARD
be set up at the district, taluka or block levels.
The agriculture is a state subject and hence the success of
• Disputes between the producer and the buyer: The
contract farming would ultimately depend on the political will
Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare observed
of the states to bring in reforms in their agricultural policies.
certain risks related to upholding the contract farming
Hence, the states must be incentivized to formulate separate
agreement. For example, producers may sell their
law on contract farming on the lines of law formulated by the
produce to a buyer other than the one with whom they
Government of Tamil Nadu.
hold a contract. On the other side, a buyer may fail to buy
On similar lines, the success of contract farming also hinges
products at the agreed prices or in the agreed quantities.
The Committee of State Ministers on Agricultural Reforms on the policies to consolidate the fragmented land holdings
in India. Hence, the state Governments must allow for leasing
recommended that dispute redressal mechanism should
be at block, district or regional-level state authorities and of agricultural land. It is to be noted that the response of the
state Governments for the adoption of Model Agricultural
not with an APMC.
Land Leasing Act, 2016 has been quite poor. Hence, the there
Under the draft Model Act, in case of disputes between a
is a need to facilitate the agricultural land leasing in order to
producer and a buyer, they can: (i) reach a mutually
ensure greater benefits of contract farming.
acceptable solution through negotiation or conciliation, (ii)
Ultimately, the government has to realise that the contract
refer the dispute to a dispute settlement officer
designated by the state government, and (iii) appeal to the farming has the potential to alleviate the present agrarian
distress.
Contract Farming (Promotion and Facilitation) Authority (to
be established in each state) in case they are not satisfied
by the decision of the dispute settlement officer.
Economic Development
BONDS • In July 2016, HDFC raised 3,000 crore rupees from Masala
bonds and thereby became the first Indian company to
issue masala bonds.
#Finance
IN NEWS
ELEPHANT BONDS TO
The National Highway Authority of India (NHAI) is set to raise TACKLE BLACK MONEY
up to Rs 2000 crore through the sale of the Masala Bonds in
order to fund the construction of highways in India. Hence, let #Capital Market
us understand about the basic concept of Masala Bonds.
ABOUT MASALA BONDS
• Masala bond is a term used to refer to a financial IN NEWS
instrument through which Indian entities can raise money A government appointed advisory group led by Economist
from overseas markets in terms of rupee (not foreign Surjit Bhalla has recently submitted recommendations to the
currency). These are Indian rupee denominated bonds Ministry of Commerce and Industry. The advisory group has
issued in offshore capital markets. The rupee proposed a roadmap for doubling India's export of goods and
denominated bond is an attempt to shield issuers from services to over $1000bn by 2025. One of the most important
currency risk and instead transfer the risk to investors recommendations of this group is to establish Elephant Bonds
buying these bonds. in India. Let us understand certain basic aspects of the
For Example: Consider a traditional foreign currency bond Elephant Bonds.
worth $100 issued by an Indian company with an interest CONCEPT OF ELEPHANT BONDS
rate of 5% for a period of 5 years in 2010. Here, it is the • According to various estimates, the total amount of black
responsibility of the Indian company to pay back $105 money outside India is estimated to be between $200 bn
after 5 years i.e. in 2015. to $ 490 bn. The people who have stashed away the black
If value of rupee depreciates from $1= Rs 60 (2010) to $1= money are apprehensive of declaring this undisclosed
Rs 75 (2015) during the 5 years, then the Indian company foreign income since it may lead to their prosecution
would be required to pay back more money. under Black Money Act. In this regard, the advisory group
In the above case, the Indian company would have got Rs has recommended an amnesty scheme in the form of
6000 ($100) through issue of bond in 2010. But, due to Elephant Bonds for the people who have undisclosed
rupee depreciation, it would be required to pay back Rs foreign Income. The proceeds of the Elephant Bonds
7500 ($100) as the principal amount along with the extra would be used for financing infrastructure development.
5% rate of interest. Hence, in case of traditional foreign • The scheme should also provide immunity from any action
currency bond, the currency risk falls on the Indian under other applicable laws such as FEMA, Securities and
Company. Exchange Board of India Act, 1992, Prevention of Money
However, since the masala bonds are issued and Laundering Act, 2002, etc. In order to introduce such
redeemed in terms of Rupee, the currency risk is scheme, necessary amendments would be required to be
transferred to the investor. made under the Black Money Act.
• The first Masala bond was issued by the International HOW THE ELEPHANT BONDS WOULD ACTUALLY
Finance Corporation (part of World Bank Group) in WORK?
Economic Development
• Under this scheme, such people would be required to guidelines for Core Investment Companies (CICs). The need for
disclose their total undisclosed foreign income and pay tax strengthening the corporate governance standards of the CICs
on such undisclosed income at the rate of 15%. 40% of was felt by the RBI post the IL&FS crisis.
the money disclosed by the people would be invested in WHAT ARE CORE INVESTMENT COMPANIES?
the Elephant Bonds which would be used for financing
• The Core investment companies are non-banking financial
infrastructure projects in India. The balance 60% would be
companies (NBFCs) holding not less than 90% of their net
available to them for utilising the money within India.
assets in the form of investment in equity shares,
• The Elephant bonds would have a maturity period of 25
preference shares, bonds, debentures, debt or loans in
years and carry 5% rate of Interest. The interest earned
group companies.
from these bonds would be credited to the depositor at
• At present, corporate governance guidelines are not
the end of maturity period.
explicitly made applicable to CICs. Hence, experts have
BENEFITS OF ELEPHANT BONDS
been seeking a review of CIC guidelines ever since defaults
As per the Economic Survey 2017-18, India needs about $ 4.5 by Infrastructure Leasing and Financial Services Ltd (IL&FS),
trillion in the next 25 years for infrastructure development. In a large systemically important core investment company.
spite of the Government exploring various options, there has
WHAT ARE THE RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE
been massive shortfall in infrastructure financing. Hence, the
Elephant Bonds can be utilised to help alleviate the dual
WORKING GROUP?
problems of black money as well as provide funds for long • Constitution of the Board level committee i.e. Audit
term infrastructure. Committee and Nomination and Remuneration Committee
• Every Group having a CIC should have a Group Risk
Management Committee (GRMC);
CORE INVESTMENT • The number of layers of CICs in a group should be
restricted to two and any CIC within a group shall not
COMPANIES (CICs) make investment through more than a total of two layers
of CICs, including itself.
#Finance • Offsite returns may be designed by the Reserve Bank and
may be prescribed for the CICs on the lines of other
NBFCs. Annual submission of Statutory Auditors
Certificates may also be mandated; and
IN NEWS
• Onsite inspection of CICs may be conducted periodically.
A working group headed by former Corporate Affairs Secretary
Tapan Ray has proposed stringent corporate governance
INTERNATIONAL TRADE/
INSTITUTIONS
WTO’S RULING- A
SETBACK TO INDIA’S IN NEWS
India has recently lost the WTO case filed by USA against
Economic Development
agreement on Subsidies and Countervailing Measures (SCM This simply means that a particular protection by the
Agreement). The loss of WTO Case is considered to be huge Government would be considered as Subsidy only when
setback for India since the Indian Government provides the Government or any of its agency makes financial
around $ 7bn in form of export subsidies on an annual basis. contribution which confers a certain amount of benefit to
Further, this judgment comes particularly at the time when any of its sector or Industry.
exports from India are declining and hence may have an • Principle of Specificity: Further, the measure of the
adverse impact on India's trade deficit. Hence, in this regard, Government is not considered to be a subsidy if the
let us understand about the WTO's agreement on Subsidies subsidy is given in the entire economy. For example, a
and Countervailing Measures (SCM Agreement) and why India's government may provide subsidy in the form of tax
export incentive schemes were declared to be against these incentive for undertaking investment in the field of R&D
provisions. for all the sectors of the economy. Such a government
WTO'S AGREEMENT ON SUBSIDIES AND measure is not treated as subsidy under this agreement. A
COUNTERVAILING MEASURES (SCM AGREEMENT) Government's measure is treated as subsidy based on the
principle of Specificity i.e. only when the subsidies are
• Rationale of the Agreement: The countries across the
given to specific Industry or Specific Sector or Specific
world provide subsidies to their farmers and Industries in
Region in a country, then it would be treated as subsidy
order to support them. These subsidies may be in form of
under the agreement. This is based on the principle that a
multiple forms such as tax incentives, land at concessional
subsidy that distorts the allocation of resources within an
rates, loans at lower rates, export subsidies, direct
economy should be subject to discipline. Where a subsidy
transfers etc. These subsidies have the potential to reduce
is widely available within an economy, such a distortion in
the cost of manufacturing the goods and services within an
the allocation of resources is presumed not to occur.
economy. However, in case of International trade, they
may end up adversely affecting the domestic Industries of Thus, only “specific” subsidies are subject to the SCM
the importing country. For Instance, if highly subsidised Agreement disciplines. There are four types of “specificity”
goods from China enter the Indian domestic market, they within the meaning of the SCM Agreement:
may end up adversely affecting the Indian Domestic 1. Enterprise-specificity: A government targets a particular
Industry. It is against this backdrop, the member countries company or companies for subsidization;
of the WTO have finalized the agreement on Subsidies and
2. Industry-specificity: A government targets a particular
Countervailing Measures (SCM Agreement). This
sector or sectors for subsidization.
agreement entered into force on 1st Jan 1995.
3. Regional specificity: A government targets producers in
• Objective: This agreement provides a definition of
specified parts of its territory for subsidization. (This may
subsidies, categorises such subsidies and lays down
be done for development of backward areas)
rules by which governments may grant the subsidies.
4. Prohibited subsidies: A government targets export goods
Under this agreement, certain types of subsidies are
or goods using domestic inputs for subsidization.
allowed, others are prohibited. It also provides certain
safeguards to the member countries which may get Categories of Subsidies: The SCM Agreement creates two
adversely affected due to subsidised imports from other basic categories of subsidies: Prohibited Subsidies and
member countries. Actionable Subsidies.
• Definition of Subsidy: According to the agreement, the a. Prohibited Subsidies: These subsidies are prohibited
subsidy is defined in terms of three basic elements- (i) a under the agreement and includes two sub-categories-
financial contribution; (ii) by a government or any public Export Subsidies and Local Content Subsidies.
body within the territory of a Member; (iii) which confers a • Export Subsidies: These include the subsidies given by the
benefit. All three of these elements must be satisfied in Governments specifically for boosting the exports from
order for a subsidy to exist. their economies. Some of these subsidies may include
Provision of direct subsidies to the Industries based upon
Economic Development
their export performance, Internal transport and freight Export Oriented Units, Electronics Hardware Technology Park
charges on export shipments etc. and Bio-Technology Park (EOU/EHTP/BTP) Schemes; the
• Local Content Subsidies: These include the subsidies Export Promotion Capital Goods (EPCG) Scheme; the Special
given by the Government to the Industries to prefer the Economic Zones (SEZ) Scheme; Duty-Free Imports for
domestic goods over the imported goods in their Exporters Scheme (DFIS); and the Merchandise Exports from
manufacturing process. For instance, the Government may India Scheme (MEIS).
provide subsidies to only those car manufacturing • Under the (EOU/EHTP/BTP) Schemes, Export Promotion
Industries that use the domestically procured tyres and do Capital Goods (EPCG) Scheme, Special Economic Zones
not use the imported tyres. (SEZ) Scheme and Duty-Free Imports for Exporters
Both these categories of subsidies are prohibited and not Scheme (DFIS), the Government provides tax incentives
allowed under the agreement. for boosting exports from India. The exporters are also
eligible to claim exemption on paying customs duties on
b. Actionable Subsidies: The Actionable subsidies include
the imports. For instance, under the EPCG scheme, an
those subsidies which are basically given in order to
Industry need not pay customs duty on importing capital
enhance the production of goods and services. These may
goods into India. However, such a benefit is available only
include loans at concessional rates, cheaper land, tax
if the Industry is able to export goods worth 6 times the
benefits etc. These subsidies are not prohibited. However,
customs duty saved within the next 6 years.
if any member country believes that the actionable
subsidies of any other member country is adversely • On similar lines, under the MEIS Scheme, the exporters
impacting its domestic Industry, then a member country are given incentive in the form of duty scrips on exporting
can possibly take two actions. It may either impose goods from India. The value of the duty scrips depends
countervailing duty or it can challenge such subsidies at upon the type of product as well as the country to which
the WTO. the goods are exported. These duty scrips can be used by
the exporters to pay the customs duty, whenever they
(Note: Countervailing duty is form of additional customs duty
import goods. The duty scrips can also be sold by the
which is imposed on the imported goods so as to offset the
exporters in the open market to other exporters.
negative impact of subsidised imports. The idea here is to
increase the prices of the subsidised imported goods and to The US argued that these subsidies given by the Indian
protect the domestic Industry.) Government come under the category of prohibited subsidies
and hence India should not be allowed to provide such
Special and Differential treatment provisions: These are
subsidies.
the special privileges which are provided only to the
developing countries and Least developed countries (LDCs) Based upon this argument, the WTO dispute panel has
under the various agreements of the WTO. Such special recommended India to withdraw these prohibited subsidies
privileges are not available to developed countries. in provisions with the WTO agreement on SCM.
With respect to agreement on SCM, the developed countries IMPACT ON INDIAN ECONOMY
are required to phase out the export subsidies within 3 years The Indian government may be required to tweak the export
after the agreement enters into force. Since, this agreement incentive schemes to make them more WTO-compliant. The
entered into force on 1st Jan 1995, they would be required to government has already begun work on making some of the
phase out the subsidies by the end of Dec 31st 1998. export incentive schemes more WTO-compliant. Recently, it
However, the developing countries are required to phase out announced the Remission of Duties or Taxes on Export
the export subsidies within 8 years after the agreement Product to replace the MEIS as a more WTO-compliant
enters into force. scheme. The overall duty foregone under this scheme is
UNDERSTANDING THE WTO TRADE DISPUTE expected to be “more or less the same” as MEIS (around Rs
40,000 crore-45,000 crore annually).
BETWEEN INDIA AND USA
The USA had challenged various export subsidies given by the
Indian Government through various schemes such as the
Economic Development
DECODING INDIA’S
the base year should be 2013. It is to be noted that India
has increased import duties on several products between
Economic Development
between the foreign investors and the counterparties India's decision to withdraw from the RCEP agreement is quite
belonging to private or public sectors in host countries. commendable looking from the perspective of dairy sector.
The question arises about what shall be an appropriate
IMPORTANCE OF DAIRY SECTOR IN INDIA
resolution mechanism. Under multilateral trade and
investment agreements such as RCEP, a third party forum • India is the largest producer of milk with an annual
is normally provided for to resolve such disputes. This production of 187 million tonnes (2018-19) accounting for
means that the relevant laws and judiciary in India will no almost 20% of global milk production. The Indian Dairy
longer be able to intervene in such disputes. Hence, the Industry provides employment to about 70 million
application of Investors to State Dispute Settlement (ISDS) households with a predominance of small producers.
mechanism was opposed by India. • This phenomenal success of dairy Industry is attributed to
• Data Localisation: The present e-commerce chapter Operation Flood which was launched during 1970s.The
contains clauses that prevent the member countries from development of milk cooperatives such as Amul, Nandini,
specifying the data localisation rules for the foreign Mother Dairy etc. stand testimony to the fact that the dairy
companies. It is to be noted that the RBI has already come industry has emerged as a tool for poverty alleviation,
out with the data localisation norms for the payment women empowerment, improvement in the human
system operators such as Visa, MasterCard etc. Further, development indicators etc.
Srikrishna Committee has also highlighted the need for • Further, the importance of milk can be gauged by the fact
data localisation to improve the law enforcement in India. that it is sold daily and generates cash to take care of
Hence, e-commerce chapter in the RCEP does against routine household expenses, unlike other crops that are
India's interests.
marketed only once or twice a year.
Way Forward: Thus, as discussed, the RCEP member
• Hence, unlike the developed economies, where the dairy
countries failed to take into account some of the India's core
industry is more of a commercial venture, the dairy
interests and concerns. Some of the economists have pointed
industry in India is closely linked to socio-economic
out that India's failure in joining RCEP would prevent
outcomes. While in other countries, it may be considered
integration of the Indian economy with the global supply
as more of profit making venture, in case of India, it is
chains. Hence, going forward, India must continue to engage
treated as an enterprise that has capability to uplift a large
with the RCEP member countries in order to ensure that its
number of people out of poverty and improve the
core concerns are taken into account. At the same time, India
development outcomes.
has to realise that its track record of FTA utilisation is quite
poor at only around 25%. Hence, the Government must focus RCEP PROPOSALS WITH RESPECT TO DAIRY
on enhancing its export competitiveness by addressing the INDUSTRY
infrastructural bottlenecks, build manufacturing capabilities,
As per the WTO guidelines, India is allowed to impose a
focus on R & D etc.
certain maximum tariff on the various agricultural
commodities. Accordingly, India has imposed higher customs
duty on the various dairy products entering the domestic
IMPACT OF RCEP ON THE market as shown in the table below.
Economic Development
The imposition of higher customs duty is considered to be if milk and milk based products are imported into India at
one of the most important reasons for the lower import of zero customs duty, then the average price received by the
milk based products into India. This has in turn provided Indian farmer would fall to Rs 19 per Litre.
adequate amount of protection to the small and marginal • Benefits the MNCs rather than the Farmers: Over a
farmers involved in the dairy Industry. period of time, the Indian Government has facilitated the
However, the RCEP agreement proposed to do away with the entry of multinational dairy corporations into India
import duties on the Milk and milk based products such as through joint ventures, mergers and acquisitions. Some of
skimmed milk powder, butter oil, cheese etc. As per the these multinational dairy corporations include Swiss firm
provisions, India would be required to reduce the average NESTLE, French firms Lactalis and Danone, New Zealand
tariffs on milk and milk based products from present 34% to firm Fonterra Dairy etc. The Milk Cooperatives are no
zero percent. longer seen as engines of growth of the dairy sector.
PROBLEMS WITH THE RCEP'S PROPOSALS Presently, these MNCs are forced to buy milk from Indian
farmers since the imported milk and milk based products
• Lack of Adequate Safeguards: As stated before, the WTO
are costly due to imposition of higher customs duty of
agreement enables the member countries to impose
around 35% on such products. Hence, if India eliminates
customs duty up to a certain maximum level in order to
the customs duty on milk and milk based products as part
offer protection to their farmers. However, the RCEP
of RCEP, then these MNCs would import the cheaper milk
agreement adopts a "One-Size-Fits-All" approach and
and milk based products from other countries such as
forces all the member countries to reduce the customs
Australia and New Zealand. This would end up adversely
duty to zero percent within the next 15 years. It fails to
impacting the Indian dairy farmers.
acknowledge that the member countries would be
required to undertake certain safeguard mechanisms such • Based on flawed Arguments: The RCEP agreement was
as increasing the customs duty in event of dumping of milk proposed to be signed based on two fundamentally flawed
and milk based products. arguments. Firstly, it was highlighted that due to growing
demand for milk, India would end up becoming a net
• Adverse impact on domestic farmers: Some of the RCEP
importer of milk in future. Accordingly, it was argued that it
member countries such as Australia and New Zealand are
was better for India to join RCEP before it becomes a net
considered to be the largest exporters of milk in the world.
importer of milk. However, this argument was flawed since
For instance, New Zealand exports almost 93% of its
according to NITI Aayog's report, India is likely to become a
domestic milk production. Now, the per unit cost of milk
milk surplus country by 2023.
production in these countries is quite lower because of
number of factors such as extensive grazing lands (which • Secondly, it was argued that the total quantity of milk
reduces the feeding costs), mechanized operations, higher exports from New Zealand to India is unlikely to exceed 5%
economies of scale (large herd size of the dairy farms), of the total exports and hence unlikely to impact the
high productivity of Milch animals (about 30L/day) etc. Indian domestic industry. However, it has been highlighted
that even 5% of the total exports from New Zealand is
Earlier, both Australia and New Zealand were vying for US
enough to flood India's domestic market.
market as part of Trans Pacific Partnership agreement.
However, after the demise of TPP, both these countries are WAY FORWARD
now vying for a bigger Indian domestic market under the Considering the importance of Dairy Industry for the socio-
RCEP. It is being stated that this would go against the economic development in India, India should be careful in
interest of Dairy Industry due to flooding of cheaper joining free trade agreements in future. It should also begin
products. work on correcting the imbalances of the existing free trade
For instance, an average farmer in India receives around agreements.
Rs 30 per litre of milk. According to the estimates of AMUL,
Economic Development
Economic Development
• Insolvency Resolution Process (IRP): When a default • However, such a proposal was challenged before the
occurs, the resolution process may be initiated either by NCLAT by the operational creditors. The Operational
the debtor or creditor before the adjudicating authority. creditors argued that they need to be treated on par with
The NCLT appoints an insolvency professional to the financial creditors with respect to the recovery of their
administer the IRP. The Resolution Professional identifies dues.
the financial creditors and constitutes a Committee of • In response, the NCLAT ruled that recovered 42,000 crores
Creditors (CoC). The CoC would prepare the resolution would be divided in a manner wherein both financial and
plan for the restructuring the loans of the defaulted operational creditors would be able to recover equal
borrower which may be in the form of extending the percent of their dues. Accordingly, the financial creditors
maturity period of the loan, reducing the rate of interest would get Rs 30,000 crores while operational creditors
on loans etc. However, such a resolution plan has to be would get Rs 12,000 crores and thus such a distribution
approved by at least 66% of the votes in the committee of would ensure that both the categories of creditors would
creditors. be able to recover 60% of their dues. Thus, the NCLAT
• Liquidation (Sale of Assets): If the Committee of ruled that the financial creditors and operational creditors
Creditors fail to come up with a resolution plan within the have to be treated equally with respect to recovery of their
time limit of 330 days, then the proceeds from the sale of dues. Thus, this ruling of the NCLAT was challenged before
the debtor’s assets are distributed in the following order of the Supreme Court.
precedence: i) insolvency resolution costs, including the
WHAT IS THE VERDICT OF THE SUPREME COURT ON
remuneration to the insolvency professional, ii) secured
THIS ISSUE?
creditors, whose loans are backed by collateral, dues to
workers, other employees, iii) unsecured creditors, iv) dues Primacy of the Financial Creditors: The Supreme Court has
to government, v) priority shareholders and vi) equity stuck down NCLAT's ruling which provided for equitable
shareholders. treatment of Financial and Operational Creditors. The SC was
of the opinion that the financial creditors are much more
UNDERSTANDING THE BACKGROUND TO THE
important as compared to operational creditors. This is
SUPREME COURT VERDICT because the financial creditors provide the working capital to
• In the year 2017, the Essar Steel defaulted on its payments enable the companies to run their operations. Hence,
to the tune of Rs 54,000 crores to the financial and equality principle cannot be stretched to treat unequals
operational creditors. Financial creditors are those who equally.
provide long-term capital in the form of loans whereas the Upheld the proposal cleared by Committee of Creditors
Operational creditors are usually the suppliers of raw (CoC): The SC has held that the CoC has taken a decision in
materials, etc. In case of Essar Steel, the financial accordance with commercial wisdom and hence such a
creditors included the Public sector Banks while its decision has to be upheld. Accordingly, it stated that NCLAT
operational creditors included companies such as should not interfere in the business decision taken by the
Bharat Petroleum, Indian Oil, GAIL, ONGC, NTPC etc. requisite majority of the CoC in conformity with the law.
On account of default, the Public sector banks led by SBI
Extension of deadline for Resolution: As stated before, the
decided to initiate the insolvency proceedings against
time limit for resolution process is 330 days in all cases,
Essar Steel.
failing which the defaulted company is liquidated. The SC was
• During the process of resolution, the committee of of the opinion that sometimes the cases could be delayed
Creditors approved the ArcelorMittal's proposal to pay Rs due to delays in the Judicial proceedings and hence the
42,000 crores to the creditors for acquiring Essar Steel. companies should not suffer unduly. Hence, the SC has
According to the proposal cleared, the financial creditors decided to extend the 330-day limit if the parties are able to
would be given higher preference over the operational prove that delay has been caused due to delays in the judicial
creditors for the recovery of their dues i.e. the financial proceedings.
creditors would recover higher percent of their dues as
compared to operational creditors.
Economic Development
TELECOM SECTOR UNDER • The Telecom Operators wanted that the AGR should
include only the revenue earned by them through the core
STRESS activities of provision of Telecom Services. However, the
Government wanted that AGR should revenue earned
#Industry from both core and non-core activities.
Economic Development
• Impact on Consumers: The telecom consumers in India • Entry for Non-Oil Companies: The Non–Oil Companies
have so far got immensely benefitted in the form of can also invest in the retail sector. Requirement of prior
reduced call and data rates. However, going forward, the investment in Oil and Gas Sector, mainly in exploration
Telecom operators may pass on the additional burden and production, refining, pipelines/terminals etc., has
onto the consumers by increasing the call and data been done away with.
chargers leading to an adverse impact on the consumers.
• Enhanced Flexibility: The companies have been given
• Impact on Economy: The Indian Government needs to flexibility in setting up a Joint Venture or Subsidiary for
focus on new age digital technologies such as Big data, market authorisation.
Artificial Intelligence, Internet of Things (IoT) etc.
• Push for Alternate Fuels: In addition to conventional
fuels, the authorized entities are required to install
facilities for marketing at least one new generation
EASIER ENTRY NORMS alternate fuel, like CNG, LNG, biofuels, electric charging,
etc. at their proposed retail outlets within 3 years of
FOR MARKETING OF operationalization.
Need for such a Policy: The existing policy for granting CREDIT OUTLOOK
authorization to market transportation fuels had not
undergone any changes for the last 17 years since 2002. It #LPG
has now been revised to bring it in line with the changing
market dynamics and with a view to encourage investment
from private players, including foreign players, in this sector.
IN NEWS
The new Policy will give a fillip to ‘Ease of Doing Business’,
The Global Credit ratings agency Moody’s has recently cut its
with transparent policy guidelines. It will boost direct and
indirect employment in the sector. Setting up of more retail outlook on the Government of India’s sovereign credit ratings
outlets (ROs) will result in better competition and better to negative from stable. In this regard, let us understand as to
services for consumers how do such global credit rating agencies assign ratings? Why
Moody's has downgraded its outlook? What likely impact it
SALIENT FEATURES OF NEW POLICY
would have on India?
• Reduction in Investment Threshold: The firms that want
WHAT ARE CREDIT RATING AGENCIES?
to set up fuel retail outlets would have to make a
minimum net worth of Rs.250 crore vis-à-vis the earlier • A credit rating agency is a private company whose purpose
requirement of Rs. 2000 crore prior investment. is to assess the ability of borrowers, either governments or
private enterprises, to repay their debt. To do this, these
Economic Development
agencies issue credit ratings based on the credit risk of the crunch among NBFCs have increased the probability of a
borrower. more entrenched economic slowdown. If nominal GDP
• The Credit ratings place this risk on a scale ranging from growth does not return to high rates, Moody’s expects that
low risk (investment category) to high risk (speculative the government will face very significant constraints in
category). The credit ratings are typically expressed by narrowing the general government budget deficit and
letters corresponding to the potential risk, with the highest preventing a rise in the debt burden.
rating represented by AAA and the lowest rating by C or D. WHAT WOULD BE THE LIKELY IMPACT?
In addition to the letter grade, a credit rating might also
• As of now, Moody's has not downgraded India's sovereign
consist of a “forecast” that describes how a particular
credit rating, which still remains as Baa2. It has only
rating may change in the future. For example, a credit rating
changed the forecast from stable to negative i.e. there
with a negative outlook may indicate a future downgrade.
could be possibility of downgrading the credit rating in
• Many investors give credit ratings a lot of consideration in future if the GDP growth does not pick up.
their investment decisions. This has enabled credit rating
• Hence, this could potentially have an impact on companies
agencies to play a central role in financial markets. The
planning to borrow overseas through bonds or foreign
three biggest global rating agencies include Fitch Rating
loans since investors or banks abroad may seek higher
Ltd, Moody’s and Standard and Poor’s.
interest rates because of weak prospects. Going forward,
Why has Moody's downgraded India's outlook to an actual downgrade in country ratings can lead to
negative? According to Moody's, the prolonged financial massive foreign fund outflows.
stress among rural households, weak job creation and credit
HUNGER AND India has been ranked 102 in the Global Hunger Index
(GHI) out of 117 countries. Similarly, according to the Global
MALNUTRITION
Nutrition Report, almost 50% of the women in the age-
group 15-49 are anaemic. The poor status of the hunger and
malnutrition can be linked not just to Food Security, but even
#Agriculture Policies to the nutritional security as well.
Economic Development
crops (Coarse Cereals, Millets etc.) has led to the problem • Globally important Agricultural Heritage systems: The
of malnutrition. Globally Important Agricultural Heritage Systems (GIAHS) is
How malnutrition impacts India? It is being said that the an initiative of the FAO to promote awareness about
problem of malnutrition starts from uterus in India. Most sustainable agriculture for the benefit of the indigenous
of the women in the reproductive years suffer from peoples and local communities. Across the world, 37 sites
malnutrition. Hence, the children born to such women are are designated as Globally Important Agricultural Heritage
also undernourished. This undernourishment then manifests Systems (GIAHS), of which three are Indian — Kashmir
itself in the form of reduced physical and mental ability of the (saffron), Koraput (traditional agriculture) and Kuttanad
children. Normally, such children are stunted and have (below sea-level farming). There is a need to promote and
reduced learning capacity. Ultimately, such form of conserve such agricultural systems.
malnutrition prevents the children from reaching their full • Biodiversity hotspots: The Biological Diversity Act,
potential leading to a huge loss in the Human Capital specifies that the State Governments may in consultation
Formation. with the local bodies, can notify areas of biodiversity
importance as Biodiversity Heritage Site (BHS). Hence, the
LINKAGES BETWEEN AGRO-BIODIVERSITY AND
important agrobiodiversity areas/hotspots can be
NUTRITIONAL SECURITY
designated as BHS under the provisions of the Biological
In order to prevent malnutrition, there is a need to ensure Diversity Act.
nutritional security apart from Food security. This can happen
• Conservation of traditional seed varieties: The
only when people consume healthy and balanced diet which
traditional seed varieties need to be conserved by setting
is capable enough to meet all their nutritional needs. In this
up community seed banks in each agro-climatic zone so
regard, the agro-biodiversity (diversity of crops and varieties)
that these traditional varieties are used by new generation
can enable the people to meet all their nutritional needs.
farmers.
In the past, almost 7,000 plant species were used in the
• Agrobiodiversity index: The Agrobiodiversity Index
human diet. But today, only 30 crops form the basis of
(ABI) can be prepared to measure and manage the
world's agriculture and just 3 species of rice, wheat and maize
agrobiodiversity across four dimensions: diets, production,
supply more than 50% of our calorific requirement. This
seed systems and conservation. This will help the policy
clearly shows that over a period of time there has been
makers to ensure that food systems are diverse and
decrease in the number of crops that form part of diet of the
sustainable.
majority of the people. This in turn has led to nutritional
insecurity and malnutrition. For instance, the decrease in the • People's biodiversity Registers: Agrobiodiversity rich
consumption of millets has led to decrease in protein, areas need to be documented through Peoples’
Vitamin-A, iron and Iodine levels in women and children. Biodiversity Registers (PBRs) and suitable branding of
commodities such as Geographical Indications (GI), organic
Thus, there is clear link between UN SDG 2 (Zero Hunger)
certification can be encouraged for better monetary
and Aichi Biodiversity target for the genetic conservation
returns for the local communities.
of plants, livestock and wild relatives.
• Strengthening Biodiversity Management Committees:
HOW TO PROMOTE AGRO-BIODIVERSITY IN INDIA?
The local Biodiversity Management Committees (BMCs)
The fall in the agro-diversity in India can be attributed to provided under the Biological Diversity Act can be
multiple factors such as change in consumption pattern, employed for planting trees, maintenance and harvesting
dietary habits, low yield of traditional varieties, lower demand the products within their jurisdiction. This will enhance the
and conversion of irrigated area for cultivation of rice and floral as well as faunal biodiversity wealth in the urban and
wheat. In this regard, the Centre for Biodiversity Policy and rural area.
Law (CEBPOL) has given a number of recommendations to
• Strategy to deal with Alien species: The National level
increase India's agro-biodiversity. Let us look into these
invasive alien species strategies need to be developed for
recommendations:
managing, controlling and eradicating agriculture related
Economic Development
invasive alien species and a database of these species seen growing feminization wherein more number of
should be developed. women have taken up agriculture in the recent times.
According to some estimates, almost 30% of the farmers in
WAY FORWARD
India are women. Since the land is rarely registered in the
The failure to integrate agro-biodiversity into our agricultural
name of women, these women farmers fail to get benefit
policies has not only led to loss of genetic diversity, but it has under the various schemes on account of the narrow
also led to nutritional insecurity. Hence, going forward, there
definition of farmers.
is a need to mainstream biodiversity into our agricultural
policies to address the dual problem of genetic loss and WHAT SHOULD BE DONE?
malnutrition. At the same time, we also need to carry out • The National Commission on Farmers headed by M.S.
large-scale campaigns to nudge the people to change their Swaminathan has given a clear, unambiguous and
consumption pattern and dietary habits. comprehensive definition of farmer in India.
Economic Development
us understand as to what India can learn from China for • Prices received by the farmers on the agricultural
boosting the agricultural productivity. commodities. Please note that average prices of the
agricultural commodities at the Global level are being
AGRI-POLICY LESSONS FROM CHINA
considered to calculate this parameter.
• Subsidies given to the farmers through the budgetary
allocation by the centre and states.
Economic Development
ENDED PROCUREMENT • Higher Costs: The FCI has been procuring larger quantities
of rice and wheat as MSP has been continuously raised by
POLICY around 10% every year. According to some estimates,
around 80 million tonnes (mt) of wheat and rice is
#Agriculture Policies procured annually against a requirement of 55 MT for the
PDS. According to FCI, the country’s food grains stock was
estimated to be 65 MT against the buffer requirement of
IN NEWS 30 MT, which is almost 109 per cent more than the
required quantity. The economic cost of these products is
The Procurement Policy of the Government is basically geared
Rs 1,500-2,000/quintal, which means around Rs 43,000-
to offer fair and remunerative prices to the farmers and to
52,000 crore is tied up in FCI warehouses. This has in turn
prevent them from distress sale. However, such a procurement
put additional burden on the FCI which is evident in the
policy has not only led to higher costs, but it has also adversely
fact that FCI has accumulated a total debt of around 2 lakh
affected the Indian agriculture. In this regard, the Commission
crores.
on Agricultural Costs and Prices (CACP) has recommended the
government to review the Open-Ended Procurement Policy. In • Distortions in the Market: The higher procurement of
this regard, let us understand the present open-ended the commodities by the FCI is leading to shortage of the
procurement policy and its problems. commodities in the open market leading to increase in
their prices. Hence, even though, there has been large
OPEN-ENDED PROCUREMENT POLICY
scale increase in the production of rice and wheat in India,
The Central Government extends price support to paddy and it has not led to commensurate reduction in their prices in
wheat through the FCI and State Agencies across the country. the open market.
The procurement policy is open ended. Under this policy,
Such increase in the prices is in turn adversely affecting
wheat and paddy offered by farmers within the stipulated
the food processing Industries which are required to
period are purchased at Minimum Support Price (MSP) i.e.
procure the raw materials at higher prices.
there is no limit on the procurement of the rice and wheat by
the FCI. If farmers gets better price in comparison to MSP, • Impact on Agriculture: This policy of open-ended
they are free to sell their produce in open market else the FCI procurement combined with higher MSPs has created
would be mandatorily required to procure the commodities more serious problems for agriculture. The farmers prefer
to grow rice and wheat because of open-ended policy and
higher MSP which is guaranteed. Hence, they are reluctant
to migrate to other crops such as oilseeds and pulses,
where India lacks self-sufficiency. Thus, this has skewed
the cropping pattern in the country. Further, excessive
growth of rice and wheat also tends to affect the water
table level as these crops consume more water, affecting
long-term prospects of farming.
Economic Development
much it would procure from each farmer. Such a limit pearl millet, barley and ragi), 5 pulses (gram, tur, moong,
would ensure even the small and marginal farmers would urad, lentil), 7 oilseeds (groundnut, rapeseed-mustard,
get benefitted and not necessarily the large farmers. soyabean, seasmum, sunflower, safflower, nigerseed), and
• Protect the farmers from distress Sale: The close-ended 4 commercial crops (copra, sugarcane, cotton and raw
who may be forced to sell the agricultural commodities HOW ARE THE MSPS FIXED?
below the MSP in the open market. Hence, in order to
• The CACP considers various factors such as the cost of
protect such farmers, the government should provide for
cultivation and production, productivity of crops, and
direct benefits transfer. As part of such a policy, the
market prices for the determination of MSPs.
Government must compensate the farmers for the loss by
• Different methodologies may be used to calculate the
transferring the difference amount between the MSP and
the price at which commodities have been sold. MSPs. These are (i) A2 Approach, which includes cost of
inputs such as seeds, fertilizer, labour; (ii) A2+FL
• Encourage Private Sector Procurement: The
Approach, which includes A2 and the implied cost of
Government must encourage the private sector for higher
family labour (FL); and (iii) C2 Approach, which includes
procurement of the agricultural commodities in order to
the implied rent on land and interest on capital assets and
reduce the burden on the FCI.
A2+FL.
DECLARATION OF MSP procurement is quite strong only for Rice and Wheat. The
procurement of other commodities, particularly Pulses and
• The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA)
Oilseeds is quite lower. Hence, it has incentivised the
notifies MSP based on the recommendations of the
cultivation of more water intensive crops such as Rice and
Commission on Agricultural Costs and Prices (CACP).
Wheat leading to an adverse impact on the Indian
These recommendations are made separately for the
Agriculture.
Kharif marketing season and the Rabi marketing season.
• Lack of Safeguards: The present MSP regime is not
Post harvesting, the government procures crops from
farmers at the MSP notified for that season, in order to geared to pay compensation to the farmers when they are
forced to sell the agricultural commodities in the open
ensure remunerative prices to farmers for their produce.
market below the MSP. Ideally, the MSP regime should be
• As of now, CACP recommends MSPs of 23 commodities,
able to compensate such farmers for the losses incurred.
which comprise 7 cereals (paddy, wheat, maize, sorghum,
Economic Development
• Flawed Approach: It has been stated that the fixing of • Undue delay: In some of the cases, the Government has
MSP based on A2+FL approach would lead to declaration not been able to declare the MSPs as per the schedule.
of lower MSP and hence does not adequately compensate These delays in the announcement of the MSPs have not
the farmers. Accordingly, some of the economists have able to able to send the price signals to the farmers on
pointed out that the MSP should be declared based on the time.
C2 Approach as recommended by Swaminathan Way Forward: In order to address these problems associated
Committee. with the MSP regime, the Government has unveiled the PM-
• Benefitted only Large Farmers: The Shanta Kumar AASHA scheme. The Government has to effectively
Committee on FCI reforms has highlighted that the MSP implement the PM-AASHA Scheme so as to improve the
procurement has benefitted only 6% of farmers in India. agricultural outcomes. Ultimately, the Government must
Hence, only the large farmers which higher surplus of realise that unless the prices received by the farmers
agricultural commodities have got benefitted from MSP. increase, we would not be able to realise the vision of
The Small and marginal farmers who comprise of almost doubling farmers' income by the end of 2022.
83% of the farming community have failed to get
benefitted from the MSP regime.
GOVERNMENT SCHEMES/
PROGRAMS/ INITIATIVES
The National Statistical Office (NSO) has recently proposed to 1. Nominal GDP: It refers to the GDP at the current
replace the existing base year of 2011-12 with 2017-18 for market prices i.e. the GDP is calculated as per the market
calculating the GDP estimates in India. Such periodic changes prices for the year for which the GDP is calculated.
in the base year are carried out every 7-10 years in order to 2. Real GDP: It refers to the GDP at base year prices i.e. the
reflect the changing economic structure and relative prices of GDP is calculated as per the market prices in the base
the goods and services. year. Thus, the Real GDP negates the inflation in goods
Apart from the periodic changes in the base year, what is and services.
equally critical is the methodology and the database used for In case of high rate of inflation, the nominal GDP would be
calculating the GDP estimates in an economy. Unless the quite higher than the real GDP. However, in case of deflation,
methodology adopted and database used for calculating GDP the real GDP would be higher than the nominal GDP.
estimates are fool-proof, the GDP estimates would not be
reliable and would not inspire confidence and trust.
Economic Development
The GDP in India is estimated by National Statistical Office figures are over-estimated, but what is clear is that our GDP
(NSO) which works under the Ministry of Statistics and figures are clearly over-estimated.
Programme implementation. Flawed Methodology: Presently, the GDP methodology does
RECENT CHANGES IN THE GDP ESTIMATION (2015) not directly measure the economic activity of the
unorganised sector. The economic activity of the
• Change in the base year from 2004-05 to 2011-12.
unorganised sector is extrapolated on the basis of economic
Usually, the base years are revised at a frequency of 7-10
activity in the organised sector. This is done on the
years by taking into account the changing economic
assumption that the economic activity in the unorganised
landscape of the country.
sector depends on the organised sector. However, this
• Change in the GDP estimation from the GDP at Factor assumption looks extremely flawed. For instance, in the
Cost to GDP at Market Prices
aftermath of the twin shocks of Demonetisation and GST, the
• Change in the database for capturing economic activity ground realities has clearly showed that it is the unorganised
from RBI's database to the MCA-21 database of the sector which has got more adversely affected than the
Ministry of Corporate Affairs. This database is basically organised sector. Hence, there was a general decline in the
used for 2 purposes: economic activity in India during the demonetisation year
o Estimate the production of goods and services in the 2016-17. However, according to the government's estimates,
organised sector based upon the tax returns the GDP growth rate for the year 2016-17 was 8.2%, which is
considered to be highest growth rate in a decade.
o Extrapolate the production of goods and services in the
unorganised sector based upon the organised sector Thus, it can be clearly argued that the official GDP estimates
activity. in India do not reflect the ground realities.
FLAWS IN THE GDP ESTIMATION Problems with Estimation of State Domestic Product
(SDP): The flawed methodology and database has not only
According to the latest GDP estimates, the GDP growth in
affected the national level GDP estimates, but it was affected
India has declined to 5% in the first quarter of the financial
even the states' GDP estimates as well. This is primarily
year 2019-20. However, for the past four years there has
because the MCA-21 is used for estimating both the national
been a raging controversy over the current GDP figures on
level as well as state level GDP estimates.
account of questionable methodologies and databases
Further, the MCA-21 database does not exactly pinpoint the
used. Some of the economists have highlighted that India
location of Industries rather it merely pinpoints the head
may be overestimating its GDP estimates due to this flawed
office of the company. Now, in order to correctly estimate the
approach. For instance, former Chief Economic Adviser,
GDP of the states, we need to have exact information of the
Arvind Subramanian has suggested that the annual GDP
Industries in each and every state. In absence of such a data,
growth rates during the last few years may have been
we would not be able to come up with reliable estimates.
overestimated by 0.36 to 2.5 percentage points.
What has been the response of the Government? The
Flawed Database: Earlier in May 2019, the erstwhile NSSO
Government has so far denied the claim that the underlying
had released report titled as "Technical Report of Services
methodology is flawed and that there are serious problems
Sector Enterprises in India". This report had highlighted that
with the new database being used. The official response
almost 38% of the firms in the MCA-21 database were
throughout the debate has been that the 2011-12 GDP series
either out-of-coverage companies (21%), closed or non-
follows global best practices i.e. it follows the latest United
traceable (17%). The economists had highlighted that these
Nations System of National Accounts guidelines and applies
companies are actually shell companies which are not
better methods using much larger datasets; hence the official
engaged in the any economic activity and hence they should
estimates are fool-proof.
not be included in the GDP estimation. If we keep including
these companies for the GDP estimation, then we would end Way forward: The proposed change of introducing a new
up overestimating our GDP. The economists have highlighted base year is undoubtedly a welcome decision. However, if
that it is difficult to understand as to what extent our GDP such a change is introduced without undertaking the review
Economic Development
of the GDP estimation, then the current problems would security to make them less complex, easier to implement,
continue to linger in future. It is the right time to address comprehensive and effectively enforceable
these problems associated with the GDP estimation.
IMPORTANT PROVISIONS OF THE DRAFT SOCIAL
Ultimately, we need to understand that the credibility of the SECURITY CODE
Indian economy would depend upon our ability to come out
• Rationalisation and Amalgamation of Laws: The Code
with fool-proof, error-free and indisputable GDP estimates.
on Social Security, 2019 will merge eight existing labour
laws including Employees’ Compensation Act, 1923;
CODE
Maternity Benefit Act, 1961; Payment of Gratuity Act,
1972; Cine Workers Welfare Fund Act, 1981; Building and
Other Construction Workers Cess Act, 1996 and
# Inclusive Growth Unorganized Workers‘ Social Security Act, 2008.
Economic Development
immediately preceding the day of her delivery, and any on 17.9.2015, which prescribes the rate of contribution to
period immediately following that day. DMF as follows:
• Employee Compensation: If personal injury is caused to ο 10% of royalty in respect of mining leases granted on or
an employee by accident or an occupational disease listed after 12.1.2015; and
in the Third Schedule arising out of and in the course of his ο 30% of royalty in respect of mining leases granted before
employment, his employer shall be liable to pay 12.1.2015.
compensation in accordance with the provisions of the
• These funds are utilized under Pradhan Mantri Khanij
code.
Kshetra Kalyan Yojana (PMKKKY) for the welfare of areas
• Imposition of Building and Other Construction and people affected by mining related operations.
Workers Welfare Cess : There shall be levied and
• At least 60% of PMKKKY funds should be utilized for high
collected a cess for the purposes of social security and
priority areas like: (i) drinking water supply; (ii)
welfare of building workers at such rate not exceeding two
environment preservation and pollution control measures;
per cent but not less than one per cent of the cost of
(iii) health care (iv)education; (v) welfare of women and
construction incurred by an employer.
children; (vi) welfare of aged and disabled people; (vii) skill
development; and (viii) Sanitation.
DISTRICT MINERAL • The rest of the funds will be utilized undertaking works like
for: (i) physical infrastructure; (ii) irrigation; (iii) energy and
FOUNDATION
watershed development; and (iv)any other measures for
enhancing environmental quality in mining district.
INDUSTRIAL RELATIONS
and benefit of persons and areas affected by mining related
operations.
Economic Development
simplify, rationalise and amalgamate various labour laws into seeks to protect the workers from exploitation by the
four Labour Codes- Code on Wages; Industrial Relations; Social firms. The IR Code bill 2019 provides that the fixed term
Security and Occupational Safety, Health and Working employment workmen would not be paid compensation
Conditions. In this regard, the Union Cabinet has recently given on their retrenchment.
approval for the introduction of Industrial Relations Code Bill • Speedier Resolution of Disputes: The Code seeks to set
2019 before the Indian Parliament. up a two-member tribunal (in place of one member)
HIGHLIGHTS OF THE INDUSTRIAL RELATIONS CODE introducing a concept that some of the important cases
BILL 2019 will be adjudicated jointly and the rest by a single member
resulting speedier disposal of cases.
• Amalgamation of Central Laws: The draft code on
Industrial Relations has been prepared after
Economic Development
HOW THE FUND WOULD BENEFIT THE REAL ESTATE • The National Statistical Office (NSO) carried out an all-India
projects has adversely affected the middle and low income household monthly per capita consumer expenditure
RELEASE OF CONSUMER
• The Government has stated that there was a significant
divergence about the survey results and other
Economic Development
to its adverse findings. Even earlier as well, the show that rural consumption has actually declined
Government had initially suppressed the findings of the between 2011-12 and 2017-18, challenge this notion.
periodic labour force survey report. Hence, the Further, as these surveys are also used for adjusting the
government’s decision to scrap the latest round of the consumer price index as well as the GDP data, scrapping
consumption expenditure survey has dealt another blow the survey means further delays in updating these key
to the independence of the Indian statistical system. statistics.
WAY FORWARD • Hence, going forward, the Government has to improve the
methodology of the consumption expenditure surveys. At
• The decision to reject this report has several implications.
the same time, the government has to acknowledge that
Firstly, it implies that there will not be an estimate of
there has indeed been decline in the household
poverty for 2017-18. After the last survey in 2011-12, it was
consumption expenditure and must take immediate
widely expected that absolute poverty in India would have
measures to boost demand in the economy.
declined significantly. But the results of the survey, which
Taxation
GST COMPENSATION- A
SETBACK TO CENTRE-
STATE RELATIONS
#Taxation
IN NEWS
The economic slowdown in the recent times has led to the fall
in the collection of the GST revenue including the GST
Compensation cess. Hence, the Central Government has failed
to transfer the pending compensation payments to the states
for several months. In this regard, the Central Government has
recently written to the states that the compensation cess
might not be sufficient enough to pay for the revenue losses to
the states.
Economic Development
Economic Development
ABOUT DOING BUSINESS INDEX ease of doing business score and ease of doing business
ranking.
• The Economies are ranked on their ease of doing
business, from 1–190. A high ease of doing business • Doing Business also measures regulation on employing
ranking means the regulatory environment is more workers and contracting with the government, which
conducive to the starting and operation of a local firm. are not included in the ease of doing business score and
ranking.
• The Doing Business Index covers 12 areas of business
regulation. Ten of these areas—starting a business, ABOUT INDIA'S PERFORMANCE
dealing with construction permits, getting electricity, • The latest report is considered to be significant
registering property, getting credit, protecting minority achievement since India has successfully improved its
investors, paying taxes, trading across borders, enforcing position from 142nd rank in 2014 to 63 in 2020. It is to be
contracts, and resolving insolvency—are included in the
Economic Development
GLOBAL MICROSCOPE ON
noted that Government has set a target of bringing India
within the top 50 rankings in the Doing Business Index.
FINANCIAL INCLUSION
• India’s score improved from 67.23 (2019) to 71.0 (2020).
India’s ranking has basically improved in 4 main areas-
Starting a Business; Dealing with Construction Permits;
Trading across Borders; Resolving Insolvency. REPORT
VARIOUS STEPS UNDERTAKEN BY GOVERNMENT TO
IMPROVE THE EASE OF DOING BUSINESS
#Important Indicators
• Business Reform Action Plan 2019 for States: An 80
point Action Plan, 2019 has been prepared by DPIIT and
shared with all the States and UTs for implementation of IN NEWS
reforms. Recently, the Economist Intelligence Unit has released the 2019
• District Reform Action Plan: A comprehensive 218-point edition of Global Microscope on Financial Inclusion report. In
this regard, let us look at some of the important highlights of
District Reform Plan has been prepared and shared with
the report.
the State Governments with a request to implement the
same in the districts. ABOUT THE GLOBAL MICROSCOPE ON FINANCIAL
INCLUSION REPORT 2019
• Starting A Business: Integrated form SPICe (Simplified
Proforma for Incorporating Company electronically) by • This report seeks to rank 55 countries across the world on
the basis of conducive environment created by them to
merging five different applications; e-form AGILE
promote financial inclusion. It mainly looks at 5 domains
(Application for registration of the Goods and Services Tax
that are necessary to promote financial inclusion-
Identification Number (GSTIN); Online and common
Government and policy support, stability and integrity,
registration for EPFO & ESIC is provided on ShramSuvidha
products and outlets, consumer protection and infrastructure.
Portal; Web based service R.U.N. (Reserve Unique Name)
• The 2019 Global Microscope features 11 new gender-
for reserving a name etc.
focused indicators that measure financial inclusion for
• Dealing with Construction Permits: Online single both women and men. These new indicators can help
window system has been introduced in Delhi and Mumbai; policymakers identify areas that could potentially improve
Unified building bye-laws 2016 have been introduced in women’s ability to access and use the financial tools they
Delhi need to thrive.
• Enforcing Contracts: National Judicial Data Grid; MAJOR HIGHLIGHTS OF THE REPORT
Commercial Courts Act 2015 for speedier disposal of • Top Ranked countries: The overall enabling environment
commercial disputes and reduce pendency. for financial inclusion has improved globally. Latin America
remains the region with the most conducive regulatory
• Resolving Insolvency: Insolvency and Bankruptcy code;
and policy environment for financial inclusion. Colombia,
Professional institutions have been established for
Peru and Uruguay maintained their rankings at the top of
effective handling of restructuring and insolvency
the 2019 Microscope.
proceedings
• Gender Disparity: Collecting data on women’s use of
• Paying Taxes: Reduction in the corporate tax rates; financial services can help governments to identify factors
Introduction of GST; Electronic System for payment of that prevent women from achieving greater financial
Social Security Contribution. inclusion. However, at present only 25% of the countries
collect and publish comprehensive gender related data on
demand and supply for financial products.
Economic Development
ο Release of the Enabling Framework for Regulatory ABOUT INDEX OF EIGHT CORE INDUSTRIES
Sandbox (RS) to allow fintech start-ups to live-test • In India there are eight core sectors comprising of coal,
innovative products and services. crude oil, natural gas, petroleum refinery products,
About Economist Intelligence Unit: The Economist fertilisers, steel, cement and electricity.
Intelligence Unit (EIU) is the research arm of The Economist • The eight core industries constitute 40.27% of the total
Group, publisher of The Economist. It helps governments, index of industrial production (IIP).
institutions and businesses by providing timely, reliable and
• This index is prepared by Office of the Economic Advisor,
impartial analysis of economic and development strategies.
Ministry of commerce of and Industry and is published
Some of the important reports published by EIU include: monthly with the base year as 2011-12.
• Government Broadband Index : Measures the Highest Weightage: Petroleum Refinery production.
broadband capability of countries. Lowest Weightage: Fertilizers production.
• Democracy Index: Measures the state of democracy Note: It is to be noted that IIP is prepared by National
across the world. Statistical Office (earlier CSO) under the Ministry of
• Global Liveability Report: Ranks the cities based upon Statistics and Programme implementation.
the quality of life. Performance of the Index of Eight Core Industries in
September 2019
Economic Development
• The Index of Eight Core Industries has contracted to -5.2% contraction, shrinking 2.6%, compared with a contraction of
in September 2019 as compared to the growth of 4.3% in 0.9% in August.
September 2018. The slowdown in the IIP has reinforced fears of a deepening
• Such a low growth in core Industries has not been supply-side contraction in response to an acute demand
witnessed so far in either the 2011-12 base or the previous compression in the economy.
2004-05 base series. This clearly indicates the severity of
WHAT IS IIP?
the ongoing Industrial slowdown. Except Fertilizer sector,
• Index of Industrial
all other sectors included in the eight core industries
Production (IIP) measures
registered contraction leading to the poor performance of
the Index. The largest decline was seen in the coal output the quantum of changes in
the industrial production
whose growth rate contracted to -20.5%.
in an economy and
• Overall, the data revealed that the production of key
captures the general level
primary sources of energy such as coal, crude oil, refinery
of industrial activity in the
products and electricity has seen a steeper decline. It is to
country. The current base
be noted that the energy consumption is usually linked to
year for the IIP series in
the overall demand in the economy. Hence, the general
India is 2011-12. So, if the
decline in the primary sources of energy clearly hints at
current IIP reads as 107 it
the slowdown in the Indian economy due to decline in the
means that there has been
consumption expenditure.
7% growth compared to
• Going forward, it is expected that the RBI would further the base year.
reduce the policy rates so as to boost the consumption
• It is compiled and
and investment expenditure in the Economy.
published every month by
National Statistical Office (NSO) of the Ministry of Statistics
and Programme Implementation.
PRODUCTION (IIP) purpose of IIP is divided into three sectors i.e. , Mining,
Manufacturing and Electricity. (Highest Weightage:
Manufacturing)
#Important Indicators
• Use-based Classification:
Primary goods: Only such goods as are directly obtained
IN NEWS from natural sources and used for further processing and
consumption E.g.: Ores and Minerals
The Index of Industrial Production (IIP) in September 2019 has
contracted sharply to -4.3%, driven by major slowdown in the Capital goods: Plants, machinery and goods used for
capital goods, mining, and manufacturing sectors. This is the further investments. E.g.: Boilers, Air and Gas
sharpest decline in the last 8 years since October 2011 Compressors etc
spanning both the 2004-05 and 2011-12 series. Infrastructure/ construction goods: Finished goods
Within the Index, the capital goods sector saw a contraction of which are primarily used in infrastructure industry or
20.7%, compared with shrinkage of 21% in August. The mining construction industry as an input. E.g.: paints, cement,
sector contracted by 8.5%, compared with an anaemic growth cables, bricks
of 0.1% in August. The manufacturing sector contracted 3.9% Intermediate goods: Any product produced as
in September, compared with a contraction of 1.2% in the incomplete product, or which goes as input in production
previous month. The electricity sector, too, saw a continued
Economic Development
for further finishing or forming a part of a product. E.g.: • India has slipped 6 places to 59 rank on a global annual list
Cotton yarn, Plywood etc of 63 countries, due to low quality of life and expenditure
Consumer durables: Products directly used by on education. India has also lagged behind fellow BRICs
consumers and having a longer durability (more than 2/3 countries – China has been ranked 42nd on the list, Russia
years). E.g.: Pressure Cooker, Air Conditioners etc (47th) and South Africa (50th).
GOODS TRADE
by consumers and can’t be preserved for long periods.
E.g.: Soyabean Oil, Full cream/ Toned/ Skimmed milk etc.
Economic Development
• The barometer index shows how the latest data Barometer. Like its counterpart for goods, this barometer
compares with short-run trends in goods trade. A reading highlights turning points and illustrates changing patterns
of 100 indicates trade expansion in line with recent trends. in world services trade. The Services Trade Barometer is
Readings greater than 100 suggest above-trend growth issued twice a year.
while readings below 100 indicate below-trend growth. The The barometer combines six component indices into an
Goods Trade Barometer is updated on a quarterly basis. overall composite index. Readings of 100 in the services
Services Trade Barometer barometer indicate growth in line with medium-term trends;
• The WTO launched a new Services Trade Barometer in readings greater than 100 suggest above-trend growth while
September 2019 as a companion to the Goods Trade those below 100 indicate the opposite.
practice questions
MCQs
1. Which among the following categories of subsidies (c) Both 1 and 2
are prohibited under the WTO’s Agreement on (d) Neither 1 nor 2
Subsidies and countervailing measures (SCM)?
1. Export Subsidies
3. With reference to Minimum Support Prices (MSP),
2. Local Content Subsidies consider the following statements:
3. Subsidies to enhance production of Goods 1. It is announced by the Commission on Agricultural
Select the correct answer using the code given below: Costs and Prices (CACP) to ensure fair and
(b) 1 and 2 only 2. Presently, the MSP is fixed as per the C2 Approach as
recommended by the National Commission on
(c) 1 and 3 only
Farmers.
(d) 1, 2 and 3
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
(a) 1 only
2. Consider the following statements with respect to
(b) 2 only
GST Compensation Mechanism:
(c) Both 1 and 2
1. The GST Compensation cess is used to compensate the
states for any loss they incur within the first five years (d) Neither 1 nor 2
of GST implementation.
2. According to the GST Act, States are guaranteed 4. Recently, the concept of Elephant Bonds was in
compensation if the GST revenue growth is less than news in India. What do these "Elephant Bonds" deal
14 per cent. with?
Which of the statements given above is/are correct? (a) Financing for Elephant Corridors
(b) 2 only (c) Amnesty scheme for the people with black money
Economic Development
descriptive Questions
Q1. Discuss the problems in the current regulatory structure for promoting and regulating Contract Farming. Also, highlight
what measures should be undertaken to address these problems.
Q2. The Open Ended Procurement Policy of FCI has not only led to higher economic cost, but also adversely impacted the
Indian Agriculture. In this regard, discuss the need for doing away with such a policy.
RANDOMISED CONTROL
enhancing the capabilities of all humans in order to do or
achieve goals that they value (Amartya Sen and Jean Dreze). As
a result, the measure of development in this period
TRIAL (RCT) expanded as can be seen in UNDP’s Multi-dimensional
poverty Index, MDGs and now SDGs.
# Poverty and Development The debate in development economics was whether to
increase incomes by providing external aids or developing
capacities of individuals to find their own solutions.
IN NEWS
►in 1990s: RCT based on Evidence-based approach
The 2019 Nobel for Economics was jointly conferred upon the
What is Randomised Control Trial?
trio of Abhijit Banerjee, Esther Duflo and Michael Kremer for
their experimental approach to alleviating global poverty. • Randomised control trial is a tool often used in life
sciences commonly in clinical trials of drugs to assess the
Their application of RCTs in development economics through
efficacy of the drugs, treatment before it is introduced in
the Abdul Latif Jameel Poverty Action Lab (J-PAL), a global
the market.
network of anti-poverty researchers that conducts field
experiments, is said have transformed the field of • it is a trial in which subjects are randomly assigned to one
development economics and poverty policies thereof. of two groups: one (the experimental group) receiving
the intervention that is being tested, and the other (the
BACKGROUND: EVOLUTION OF DEVELOPMENT comparison group or control) receiving an alternative
ECONOMICS (conventional) treatment.
►in Post-colonial world • The two groups are then followed up to see if there are
In the aftermath of 2nd world war, the newly decolonized any differences between them in outcome.
countries were deeply impoverished as a result of • The results and subsequent analysis of the trial are used to
colonialism. As a result, a subfield of development economics assess the effectiveness of the intervention, which is the
took birth in economics. extent to which a treatment, procedure, or service does
Approach: Income-based/Growth-based approach: The patients more good than harm.
development strategies at this stage focused on increasing • RCTs are the most stringent way of determining whether a
income and hence the approach was growth-oriented. cause-effect relation exists between the intervention and
(This is the reason poverty was defined in terms of the outcome.
income/head). India too adopted the trickle down approach
APPLICATION OF RCT IN SOCIAL SCIENCES
which focused on increasing the ‘size of the pie’ which will
eventually trickle down. • This year’s Nobel laureates conducted multiple
experiments using RCT to study social policies relating to
Problem: While incomes and growth rates increased,
poverty through J-PAL lab.
inequality also increased. Besides this approach was too
narrow. • In this approach, the researchers break down the larger
problem into smaller questions. Experiments are carried
►in 1970s-80s
out in the field on these smaller questions using
Approach: Welfarist Approach with focus on Inclusive Randomised Control Trials. Eg: impact of subsidies in
Growth: According to welfarists, development means preventative health care (WHO projects), whether
incentives help in increasing immunization coverage, blood stream during the process of digestion. Once it
impact of microfinance on development etc. enters the blood stream it attacks the central nervous
• Based on these experiments they conclude that RCTs “are system damaging the cells thus causing paralysis,
the simplest and best way of assessing the impact of a especially in legs.
program and thus should be the “tool of choice” for POLIO VACCINES: IPV AND OPV
evidence-based research on social policies.
Two polio vaccines are used to combat Poliomyelitis:
CRITICISM ON THE USE OF RCT IN SOCIAL SCIENCES
• The first includes an injected dose of inactivated (killed
• In social sciences, breaking down of the broader problem using formalin) polio virus (IPV). IPV provides immunity
into smaller questions may lead to ignoring of a critical
in the blood stream, preventing polio infection from
variable. This may dilute the scientific method and thus
progressing and protects the motor neurons.
may affect the conclusions.
• The second type of vaccine is Oral Polio Vaccine (OPV)
• Further for an experiment to be random, the participants
which is a live weakened version of the virus, which
should be ignorant about which group they belong to
produce mutation in the viral genome causing immunity.
(control or non-control). However, such kind of ‘blinding’ is
almost impossible to implement in economic experiments STATUS OF POLIO IN INDIA
as participants would definitely know if they get any
• Polio was endemic to India till 2011. Since 2011 there were
financial aid or training.
no reported cases in India and therefore India was
• Notwithstanding the above criticism, RCTs have declared polio-free by WHO in 2014.
transformed development economics and made policy
• As of 2012 polio remains endemic in only three countries,
making more evidence-based thus impacting social
Nigeria, Pakistan and Afghanistan.
policies worldwide.
• Bivalent-OPV has been a part of India’s Universal
Immunisation Programme.
►Polio
related information. It covers broadly six areas including:- Per capita public expenditure on health increased from Rs
Demographic indicators; Socio-Economic Indicators; Health 621 in 2009-10 to Rs. 1,657 in 2017-18. This is abysmal
Status Indicators; Health Financing; Human Resources for compared to other countries.
Health Sector; Health Infrastructure. • Inter-state disparities: North-Eastern states had the
National Health Profile: National Health Profile (NHP), highest average per capita public expenditure on health in
published annually since 2005, brings together all health 2015-16. On the other hand, Empowered Action Group
related information in a single platform. It is published by (EAG) states plus Assam had the lowest health
Central Bureau of Health Intelligence (CBHI). expenditure. Eight socioeconomically backward states of
Note: Central Bureau of Health Intelligence (CBHI) is statutory Bihar, Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, Madhya Pradesh, Orissa,
body established by the Act of Parliament on the Rajasthan, Uttaranchal and Uttar Pradesh are as the
recommendation of Mudaliar committee under the Ministry Empowered Action Group (EAG) states
of Health & Family Welfare (MoHFW). • High out of pocket expenditure: According to WHO's
health financing profile for 2017 shows 67.78% of total
KEY HIGHLIGHTS OF THE REPORT
expenditure on health in India was paid out of pocket. The
India is witnessing an epidemiological transition where Non- world average is 18.2%.
Communicable Diseases (NCDs) dominate over
• Low insurance penetration: Only 37% of the total
communicable in the total disease burden of the country. The
population of India was covered under any health
disease burden from NCDs increased from 30 per cent to
insurance in 2017-18 out of which 78% were covered by
55 per cent from 1990-2016 and 62% mortality is due to
public insurer.
NCDs.
• Low Doctor-Patient ratio: While the WHO-mandated
NON-COMMUNICABLE DISEASES (NCDS)
doctor patient ratio is 1:1000, India’s doctor-patient ratio is
• Heart disease is the leading cause of death in India, 1:1596.
followed by cancer. Heart disease has increased by 50% in
• Increasing Anti-biotic resistance
last 25 years. India accounts for 1/3rd of cancer cases in
the world. • Air Pollution: PM 2.5 microns is the leading cause of acute
lower respiratory infections among young children.
• Type-2 diabetes is India’s fastest-growing disease with 73
million in 2017. Mortality due to diabetes stood at 2.5 lakhs
in 2017.
• Hypertension caused 10.8% of deaths in India. PNEUMONIA AND
• India also faces a high burden of lung disease with
chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) causing 1 DIARRHEA PROGRESS
million deaths every year.
INTERNATIONAL
PNEUMONIA
• In human respiratory system, air that is inhaled through
mouth or nose, passes through pharynx, larynx and
enters the trachea (wind pipe) which bifurcates into right
DIABETES ATLAS
and left bronchi which are branched into bronchioles in
the lungs. The bronchioles deliver air into alveoli in the
# Health
lungs also called as air sacs. It is at the alveoli that the
exchange of gases between air and blood takes place
CONTEXT
through capillary action.
In the backdrop of World Diabetes Day on November 14, the
• Pneumonia is a respiratory infection in which alveoli,
International Diabetes Foundation has released the 9th edition
instead of air, is filled with pus and fluid making it
of the Diabetes Atlas.
difficult to breath and thus limiting oxygen intake.
million in the next 25 years. Diabetes is the 13th leading LYMPHATIC FILARIASIS
cause of disease burden in India.
• Lymphatic filariasis, also known as elephantiasis, is a
• Globally 9.3% of the population suffers from diabetes out neglected tropical disease.
of which 90% suffer from Type 2 diabetes.
• It is a parasitic disease caused by roundworms of the
• The increase in Type 2 diabetes is mainly on account of family Filarioidea.
obesity, low levels of physical activity, urbanization, ageing
• There are 3 types of filarial worms which cause
population.
elephantiasis:- Wuchereria bancrofti (90% of cases); Brugia
• Besides the report also shows that there is an increase malay; Brugia timori
even in Type 1 diabetes.
• Lymphatic Filariasis infection starts in childhood and
STEPS TO COUNTER DIABETES manifests in adulthood.
• The National Programme for Prevention and Control • The worm blocks the lymphatic system which causes
of Cancer, Diabetes, Cardiovascular Diseases and swelling in the legs and other part of the body, making
Stroke, launched in 2010, aims to prevent and control them look large, puffy and elephant-like.
diabetes through behaviour and lifestyle changes, early • Transmission: Culex, Aedes and Anopheles mosquitoes
diagnosis and management, and increasing health system serve as vector. It is also transmitted by blood-feeding
capacity. black flies.
• National Health Policy 2017 of India aims to increase
TREATMENT
screening and treatment of 80% of people with diabetes
and reduce premature deaths from diabetes by 25% by • Infected people can be treated with diethylcarbamazine
that kills the microscopic worms circulating in the blood.
2025.
However it does not completely eliminate microfilaria.
• Ayushman Bharat has a component of establishment of
Thus, a Mass Drug Administration was introduced by
wellness centres aimed at preventive healthcare especially
WHO.
for NCDs including diabetes.
• The MDA includes a 2-drug regimen which is 99% effective
• FSSAI is set to release ‘labelling regulations’ for
in removing microfilariae from the blood after one year of
packaged food sold, to regulate ‘bad foods’, viz, ultra-
treatment.
processed food high in fats, sugar or salt (HFSS)
• The WHO is now rolling out 3-drug regimen called IDA
including (ivermectin, diethylcarbamazine and
LYMPHATIC FILARIASIS
albendazole) which could help in eradicating the disease.
ACTIONS BY INDIA
#Health • India has a National Filaria Control Programme since 1955.
NATIONAL DIGITAL
• Applicable standards and regulations;
• Health analytics.
• Personal health records; The Union Cabinet has approved the establishment of National
Institute of Sowa Rigpa at Leh. The National Institute for Sowa-
• National Health analytics platform;
Rigpa will be established as an autonomous organization
• Unique digital health ID, health data dictionaries. under the Ministry of AYUSH.
National Digital Health Blueprint (NDHB): The NDHB is a
SOWA RIGPA
rulebook for implementation of the NHS. It will provide a
common platform for integration of existing applications in • Sowa Rigpa (science of healing) is a traditional Tibetan
health domain and data which has existed in silos, either in medical system of the Himalayan belt mainly practiced in
public health facility, or, in private healthcare facility, in India. Sikkim, Arunachal Pradesh, Darjeeling, Himachal Pradesh,
Its key features are: • The theory and practice of Sowa-Rigpa is very similar to
• A unique health ID; • Need for National Institute: To bring together traditional
Wisdom of Sowa-Rigpa and modern science, tools and
• National portability;
technology. It will help to promote interdisciplinary
• Electronic health records; research & education of Sowa-Rigpa.
practice questions
MCQs
1. Lymphatic Filariasis has received renewed 2. In case of diabetes, the cells in the patient’s body
attention with aim towards elimination by 2021. In absorb more energy from the blood than normal.
this context which of the following is correct with Select the correct answer based the codes given below.
respect to Lymphatic Filariasis? (a) 1 only (b) 2 only
1. It is a parasitic disease caused by tapeworms. (c) Both 1 and 2 (d) Neither 1 nor 2
2. It is classified under Neglected Tropical Disease.
3. It could be transmitted by a mosquito bite. 4. 2 out of 3 polio strains are declared eradicated by
Select the correct answer based the codes given below. WHO. Which of the following is true with respect to
(a) 1 only Polio?
(b) 1 and 2 only 1. Polio is a bacterial disease.
(c) 2 and 3 only 2. Polio was endemic to India before 2011.
(d) 1, 2 & 3 Select the correct answer based the codes given below.
(a) 1 only
2. Consider the following statements: - (b) 2 only
1. National Health Stack (NHS) is a digital infrastructure (c) Both 1 and 2
prepared by Dept. of Health. (d) Neither 1 nor 2
2. National Digital Health Blueprint (NDHB) is a rulebook
for implementation of the NHS. 5. India is said to have 2nd highest incidence of child
Which of the statements given above is/are correct? pneumonia after Nigeria. Which of the following
(a) 1 only (b) 2 only are correct about Pneumonia?
(c) Both 1 and 2 (d) Neither 1 nor 2 1. Pneumonia may be caused by virus, bacteria or
fungus.
3. India is witnessing an increase in diabetes 2. Child wasting is the leading cause for pneumonia
incidence. Which of the following is true about incidence in India.
Diabetes? Select the correct answer based the codes given below.
1. Type 2 diabetes occur when the pancreas fails to (a) 1 only (b) 2 only
produce insulin. (c) Both 1 and 2 (d) Neither 1 nor 2
SOLAR ERUPTIONS
Sun’s Structure: The Sun has six regions: the core, the
radiative zone, and the convective zone in the interior; the
visible surface, called the photosphere; the chromosphere;
#Space Technology and the outermost region, the corona.
• Since the Sun rotates, the magnetic field spins out into a
large rotating spiral, known as the Parker spiral.
CARTOSAT-3
Celsius compared to the Sun’s surface temperature of
about 6,000°C.
#Space Technology
ABOUT ECLIPSES
• Traditionally, eclipses are divided into two major types: -
solar and lunar.
What is dwarf planet? Dwarf planets are worlds that are too RELATED INFORMATION: GAGAN
small to be considered full-fledged planets, but too large to • It is a step by the government towards initial Satellite-
fall into smaller categories. According to International based Navigation Services in India.
Astronomical Union, a “dwarf planet” is a celestial body that:
• It is a system to improve the accuracy of a global
a. is in orbit around the Sun, navigation satellite system (GNSS) receiver by providing
reference signals.
• The Airports Authority of India (AAI) and Indian Space to 1500 km from its boundary, which is its primary
Research Organization (ISRO) have collaborated to develop service area.
the GPS Aided Geo Augmented Navigation (GAGAN) as a • IRNSS will provide two types of services, namely,
regional Satellite Based Augmentation System (SBAS). Standard Positioning Service (SPS) which is provided to
• The GAGAN's goal is to provide a navigation system to all the users and Restricted Service (RS), which is an
encrypted service provided only to the authorised users.
assist aircraft in accurate landing over the Indian airspace
and in the adjoining area and applicable to safety-to-life • The IRNSS System is expected to provide a position
civil operations. accuracy of better than 20 m in the primary service area.
• GAGAN is inter-operable with other international SBAS • IRNSS-1A spacecraft provides messaging service to users
systems. in the Indian region.
• It covers the area from Africa to Australia and has • IRNSS-1B is the second dedicated navigation satellite of
expansion capability for seamless navigation services India. It is one of the seven satellites constituting the IRNSS
space segment. IRNSS -1B carries two types of payloads -
across the region.
navigation payload and ranging payload. The navigation
• India has become the third country in the world to have payload of IRNSS-1B transmits navigation service signals
such precision approach capabilities. to the users. This payload is operating in L5-band and S-
• GAGAN provides the additional accuracy, availability, and band. A highly accurate Rubidium atomic clock is part of
integrity necessary for all phases of flight, from enroute the navigation payload of the satellite.
through approach for all qualified airports within the • IRNSS-1C is powered by two solar arrays, which generate
GAGAN service volume. power up to 1,660 watts, and has a life-time of ten years.
• GAGAN though primarily meant for aviation, will provide IRNSS-1C also carries Corner Cube Retro Reflectors for
benefits beyond aviation to many other user segments laser ranging.
such as intelligent transportation, maritime, highways, • IRNSS-1D provides special thermal control schemes have
railways, surveying, geodesy, security agencies, been designed and implemented for some of the critical
telecom industry, personal users of position location elements such as atomic clocks.
applications etc. Some applications of IRNSS are: Terrestrial, Aerial and
Marine Navigation; Disaster Management; Vehicle tracking
and fleet management; Integration with mobile phones;
IN NEWS
The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) and its older
CLOUD COMPUTING TO
commercial arm Antrix Corporation Ltd. are poised to
commercialise India’s regional navigation Satellite system
EDGE COMPUTING
(IRNSS), NavIC. #Technology
ABOUT NavIC
• It is an independent regional navigation satellite system
developed by India. IN NEWS
• It is designed to provide accurate position information According to global research by 2025, companies will generate
service to users in India as well as the region extending up and process more than 75% of their data outside of traditional
centralised data centres — that is, at the “edge” of the cloud.
PEGASUS
locally, reducing the amount of data that needs to be
processed in a centralized or cloud-based location.
UNDERSTANDING SPYWARE
• Spyware is the term given to a category of software which
aims to steal personal or organisational information.
Spyware intended to monitor the computer can change • Malware may be used to take over PCs, turning them into
user preferences, permissions and also administrative zombie computers that may form part of a “botnet” used
rights to send out spam or perform denial of service attacks on
It can also result in users being locked out of their own Web sites.
In some cases, it can also result in full data losses. name comes from the fact that they infect the “root-level”
of a computer’s hard drive, making them impossible to
HOW DOES THE PEGASUS SPYWARE WORK?
remove without completely erasing the drives.
• The Pegasus operator convinced a target to click on a
COMMON TYPES OF MALWARE
specially crafted ‘exploit link’ which allows the operator to
penetrate security features on the phone and installs Viruses: A virus is a type of malware that spreads through
Pegasus without the user’s knowledge or permission. normal programs. Once the device has a virus it may spread
easily and quickly. A virus might just slow down your device -
• Once Pegasus installed, it begins contacting the operator’s
or it might be so severe you lose all your applications and
command and control servers to receive and execute
documents.
operator commands, and send back the target’s private
data, including passwords, contact lists, etc. Worms: Worms can spread from device to device, but unlike
a virus they don’t need to attach themselves to other
• The operator can even turn on the phone’s camera and
programs. Worms can copy themselves hundreds of times,
microphone to capture activity in the phone’s vicinity.
so they can very quickly harm your device and other devices.
• Other key features of Pegasus are: A worm might copy itself onto your email account and then
Ability to access password-protected devices, being totally send a copy to all of your email contacts.
transparent to the target, consuming minimal battery, Trojan horse: A trojan horse (or just a trojan) pretends it will
memory and data so as to not arouse suspicion in more be a useful and safe program, when actually it will try to
alert users, a self-destruct mechanism in case of risk of attack your device.
exposure
Spyware: Spyware is software that installs itself onto devices
Ability to retrieve any file for deeper analysis. and then steals personal information about the user, like
passwords, email addresses and other important
information. It often does it just by keeping a record of
CYBER SECURITY BREACH everything the user types, which is called key logging. Some
spyware can even use webcam without your knowledge.
#Technology
'IndiGen' PROJECT
IN NEWS
Recently, India received intelligence from a US based company
#Technology # Health
that a “threat actor” had breached master “domain
controllers” at the Kudankulam plant and also at ISRO with a
malware, later identified as a “Dtrack.” Designed to steal data,
IN NEWS
a Dtrack can give the “threat actor” complete control over all
infected devices. The Malware is attributed to Lazarus, “an The Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) recently
umbrella name that typically describes hacking activity which announced the conclusion of conducting a “whole-genome
advances Pyongyang’s interests”. sequence” of a 1,008 Indians.
WHAT IS MALWARE?
• Viruses are just one type of malware.
ABOUT THE PROJECT • The rest is in the mitochondria, the cell’s powerhouse.
• The project is part of a programme called “IndiGen”. This • Every human cell contains a pair of chromosomes, each
is also seen as a precursor to a much larger exercise of which has three billion base pairs or one of four
involving other government departments to map a larger molecules that pair in precise ways.
swathe of the population in the country. • The order of base pairs and varying lengths of these
• This is the first time that such a large sample of Indians will sequences constitute the “genes”, which are responsible
be recruited for a detailed study. for making amino acids, proteins and, thereby, everything
that is necessary for the body to function.
• The CSIR’s “IndiGen” project, as it is called, sought to
include representatives from every State and diverse • It is when these genes are altered or mutated that
ethnicities. proteins sometimes do not function as intended, leading
to disease.
• Aim of the project is to understand the extent of genetic
variation in Indians, and learn why some genes are • Sequencing a genome means deciphering the exact
linked to certain diseases. order of base pairs in an individual.
practice questions
MCQs
Q1. Consider the following statements about Cartosat- (c) Both 1 and 2 (d) Neither 1 nor 2
3:
1. The satellite was launched in 2018 by ISRO for map- Q3. Consider the following statements related to
making applications. India’s GAGAN-GPS aided geo augmentation
2. It is the most complex and advanced earth observation navigation:
satellite built by ISRO. 1. The Airports Authority of India (AAI) and Indian Space
Which of the statements given above is/are correct? Research Organization (ISRO) have collaborated to
(a) 1 only (b) 2 only develop the system.
(c) Both 1 and 2 (d) Neither 1 nor 2 2. India has become the third country in the world to
have such precision approach capabilities.
Q2. Consider the following statements related to Sun’s Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
1. The volume of space controlled by the Sun's magnetic (c) Both 1 and 2 (d) Neither 1 nor 2
field is called the heliosphere.
2. The magnetic field spins out into a large rotating spiral, Q4. Consider the following statements about India’s
known as the Parker spiral. Regional Navigation satellite system (IRNSS):
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
(a) 1 only (b) 2 only
1. It is an independent regional navigation satellite Q5. Consider the following statements related to
system being developed by India in collaboration with genome sequencing:
Bhutan. 1. The “deciphering” or reading of the genome is known
2. It will provide two types of services, namely, Standard as genome sequencing.
Positioning Service (SPS) which is provided to all the 2. Most of the DNA is in the nucleus and intricately coiled
users and Restricted Service (RS), which is an encrypted into a structure called the chromosome.
service provided only to the authorised users. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Which of the statements given above is/are correct? (a) 1 only (b) 2 only
(a) 1 only (b) 2 only (c) Both 1 and 2 (d) Neither 1 nor 2
(c) Both 1 and 2 (d) Neither 1 nor 2
descriptive Questions
Q1. Sequencing a genome means deciphering the exact order of base pairs in an individual. Analyse the key risks and
Q2. Reports have revealed that journalists and human rights activists in India have been targets of surveillance by operators
using Israeli spyware Pegasus. Discuss the key implications associated with such cyber security threats.
Geography, Environment,
Biodiversity & Disaster
Management
# GS Paper (Prelims) and GS Paper I & III (Main)
NAMING OF CYCLONE
coast between September to October 2004. It made
landfall in the state, but impacted both India and Pakistan.
# Geography • Some of the names suggested by India are Agni, Jali, Bijli,
Akash, while Mala, Helen and Nilofar were suggested by Sri
Lanka, Bangladesh and Pakistan respectively.
IN NEWS • These lists are used sequentially and they are not rotated
Recently, the eastern coast of India was hit by a severe every few years, unlike the Atlantic and Eastern Pacific lists.
category Cyclone Bulbul. In this context, let us understand the HISTORY OF NAMING
way in which cyclones are named.
• The practice of naming the storm first started in the United
HOW ARE CYCLONES NAMED? States.
• The World Meteorological Organisation/Economic and • Earlier, the storm was named after the coast it hit.
Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific Panel on
• Then the mid-1900s saw the start of practice of using
Tropical Cyclones, at its twenty-seventh session held in
feminine names for storms. In the pursuit of a more
2000 in Muscat, Oman, agreed to assign names to the
organised and efficient naming system, meteorologists
tropical cyclones in the Bay of Bengal and Arabian Sea. The
later decided to identify storms using names from a list
naming of tropical cyclones over north Indian Ocean
arranged alphabetically.
commenced from September 2004.
Land Resources Department. The Land Resources Department use in the production of renewable energy. Uttar Pradesh
uses satellite data to measure the extent of 23 different types and Bihar also saw high levels of net conversion.
of wastelands and tracks the impact of reclamation efforts.
IMPACT OF CONVERTING THE WASTELANDS
DEFINITIONS • Livelihood - Pastoral communities depend on common
• Barren and Wastelands: The land which may be classified grazing land, gatherers and nomadic farmers depend on
as a wasteland such as barren hilly terrains, desert lands, scrub forest and open scrubland for shifting cultivation,
ravines, etc. normally cannot be brought under cultivation while fishermen can make a living off waterlogged and
with the available technology. marshy areas.
• Culturable Wasteland: Any land which is left fallow • Environment - These areas sometimes protect unique
(uncultivated) for more than five years is included in this biodiversity resources, which could be destroyed when
category. It can be brought under cultivation after development occurs.
improving it through reclamation practices. • The flooding in recent seasons in Kerala happened
WHY CONVERSION IS TAKING PLACE? because marshland was treated as waste rather than a
valuable buffer. The backwaters protect inland water
• The government has been encouraging wasteland
resources from encroaching salinity and seawater
conversion, pointing out that while India has 18% of the
inundation, as well as storing water for dry seasons
world’s population, it only has 2.4% of the land area.
• Such conversion endorses a hierarchical idea of livelihood.
• In order to ensure food security, there is an urgent need to
Thus it projects a view that pastoralists are less productive
improve the productivity of existing cultivated lands and to
than a farmer.
bring additional land under plough.
• In southern India, these areas have traditionally been
• The wastelands which are unutilised and have potential to
called ‘poromboke’ land which is communally owned,
produce food grain and provide vegetation cover may
cannot be bought, sold or built on.
significantly contribute in this endeavour.
• In Karnataka, the gomal lands are common grazing areas.
• Besides the government efforts, illegal encroachment by
local residents could also result in conversion of
wastelands.
US WITHDRAWAL FROM
PARIS CLIMATE DEAL
#Climate Change
IN NEWS
The US has begun the process of withdrawing from the Paris
Example of Conversion of wasteland: In Rajasthan, a net
Climate Agreement by notifying the UN of its intention to
change of 4,803 sq. km was seen, with large areas of scrub leave. The notification begins a one-year process of exiting the
and sands brought under the plough and converted to global climate change accord, culminating the day after the
cultivated cropland. The State also has extensive solar parks 2020 US election.
set up in its wastelands, thus converting them to industrial
WHY THE US IS WITHDRAWING? • Steep cut in climate research funding will compromise
the quality of future IPCC reports and ultimately
• US was concerned about the Economic impact of agreeing
undermine the authority of future climate negotiations. It
to the Paris deal.
is to be noted that U.S. leads the world in the fundamental
• US president claimed the concept of global warming was
research on climate change.
created by the Chinese in order to make U.S.
• However, the U.S. will remain a party to the United
manufacturing non-competitive.
Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change and
• US was unhappy about the unequal treatment meted out
will continue to attend negotiations under the framework.
to the US.
IMPACT ON INDIA
• US president claimed China will be allowed to build
hundreds of additional coal plants. India will be allowed to • U.S. withdrawal may not have any direct impact on India;
double its coal production by 2020. however, it will affect India’s future climate policies with
some repercussions on its development projects.
• US argued that if the US implements the regulations to
comply with the Agreement, it will severely affect the • India's participation in the agreement was conditional
carbon-based industries in America and, consequently, its upon receiving financial aid from developed countries to
economy and quality of life. reduce its carbon footprints. India accounts for four
percent of global emissions and, at Paris, it promised “to
IMPLICATIONS ON PARIS DEAL
reduce its carbon footprint by 35 percent from its 2005
• U.S. withdrawal substantially undermines the levels, by 2030.
universality of the Paris Agreement, which is perceived
• In order to attain this ambitious target, India needs to
as the backbone of global climate regime.
reduce its dependence on fossil fuels and invest in
• U.S. abdication of responsibilities aggravates the renewable energy sources. With U.S. decision to stop the
leadership deficit in global climate governance. financial assistance to the Green Climate Fund (GCF), the
• U.S. backing out sets a bad precedent for global climate future of India’s renewable energy projects might be
cooperation as other countries might also change their affected.
commitments under the deal. This would practically make • It might impact India's stake in future climate negotiations.
the targets set under Paris deal unachievable.
• If China dominates future negotiations, the ongoing
• By withdrawing from the Paris Agreement, the U.S. gains tensions between the two nations will have a significant
itself more emission space and lower mitigation costs, impact on India’s place in such negotiations.
while squeezing other countries' emission space and
• However, it provides India an opportunity to lead future
raising their mitigation costs, and this will in turn make it
Climate negotiations. India should also expose the
more difficult and expensive to achieve the 2 °C target
hypocrisy of China in investing trillions of dollars in
of the Paris Agreement
projects such as BRI and CPEC while at the same time
• Cutting U.S. climate aid will make it more difficult for asking for funds from developed countries to meet its
developing countries to mitigate and adapt to climate emission targets.
change and less likely for these countries to achieve the 2
• India could make use of the uncertainty of US renewable
°C target. Financing is essential to implementing the Paris
energy projects and invest more in its own renewable
Agreement, and under the principle of common but
energy market.
differentiated responsibility, developed countries are
• To meet its solar targets, India needs around USD 100
obligated to provide climate financing to developing
billion, and this sector has enormous potential for foreign
countries
investments.
• Coastal cities, such as Alexandria, Ho Chi Minh City, Basra resilience and openness towards climate affected
and Shanghai are among the most vulnerable and large migrants.
portions of Mumbai and Kolkata will be fully submerged by
2050.
• Preparing for SLR will entail protecting the coast through MANGROVES
measures such as natural barriers, levees, flood barriers
• Mangroves are salt-tolerant plants, also called halophytes,
and even hard barriers.
that are adapted to harsh coastal conditions of tropical
• Stopping infrastructure construction along the coast and subtropical intertidal regions of the world receiving
and integrating anticipated SLR effects into coastal rainfall between 1,000 to 3,000 mm and temperature
planning are essential.
ranging between 26-35 C.
• Planning for retreat from the most vulnerable areas well
• Since mangroves are located between the land and sea
ahead of time is essential.
they represent the best example of ecotone.
• Urban policies, especially in mid-size towns, should
• About one third of the world’s mangroves are found in
integrate proposals for new migrants.
Asia (39%), followed by Africa (21%) and North and
• National boundaries should be made flexible for the Central America (15%).
movement of affected people. Thus what is needed is
ECOLOGICAL ADAPTATIONS
preparation in advance with regional policies(Which
includes more than one country) for labour, regional • Adaptations to low oxygen - By propping themselves
agreements for migration and for advance skill above the water level with stilt roots and can then absorb
development. air through pores in their bark (lenticels).
• South Asia is one of the most vulnerable regions to climate • Nutrient uptake - Pneumatophores (aerial roots) allow
change and the countries here share ecological zones, mangroves to absorb gases directly from the atmosphere.
borders and coastlines, thus coordinated management of
• Limiting salt intake - mangroves exclude salt by having
extreme events, advance preparation for migration into
significantly impermeable roots.
mid-size towns and better ecosystem support in the
hinterland are useful ways to collaborate and build • Limiting water loss - They can restrict the opening of
regional partnerships. their stomata (pores on the leaf surfaces, which exchange
carbon dioxide gas and water vapor during
• India could help in unleashing the potential of South Asia.
photosynthesis).
Investing in the rural economy, reducing unemployment,
reducing poverty and improving measures for • Increasing survival of offspring - Mangrove seeds are
sustainability can improve people’s lives and increase their buoyant and are therefore suited to water dispersal.
• Breeding and nursery grounds for a variety of marine • Encroachment - For agriculture, industrial development
• Harbour a variety of life forms like invertebrates, fish, • Coastal water pollution from agricultural and industrial
amphibians, reptiles, birds and even mammals like tigers. discharge hampers their growth.
• Good source of timber, fuel and fodder. • Climate change is leading to changes in the ambient
conditions which are depleting the mangroves.
• Main source of income generation for shoreline
communities like fisher folk. • Local threats - Dams and irrigation that reduce the flow of
water. Overfishing.
• Save the marine diversity, this is fast diminishing.
RELATED INFORMATION
Godavari-Krishna deltaic regions, Mangrove swamps occur in profusion in the intertidal mudflats on both side of the
Andhra Pradesh creeks
Mostly scrubby and degraded mangroves occur along the intertidal region of estuaries
Maharashtra, Goa and Karnataka
and creeks
Gulf of Kachchh and the Kori creek, Range from bushy stands of dwarf mangroves found in Gulf of Kuchchh, to taller
Gujarat (north-west coast) stands found in the Sunderbans.
Small tidal estuaries, neritic inlets and the lagoons support a dense and diverse
Andaman & Nicobar Islands
undisturbed mangrove flora.
According to the India State of Forest Report (SFR) 2017, The maximum increase of mangrove cover is reported from the three States:
Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh and Gujarat.
IN NEWS IN NEWS
Olive Ridley turtles have begun to arrive at Odisha’s Rushikulya The Union Environment Ministry has withdrawn a draft
rookery coast in Ganjam for their annual mass mating season amendment that proposed updates to the Indian Forest Act,
that precedes the mass nesting that takes place here. 1927. The draft amendments drew flak from activists and
Rushikulya rookery is a major nesting site for the Olive Ridleys tribal welfare organisations.
along the Indian coast.
Green concern indemnity for using arms to
OLIVE RIDLEY TURTLES Some of the contentious prevent forest-related
suggestions in the ‘zero offences
• They are medium-sized species of sea turtle, found in • Forest officials will get powers
draft’ of the proposed
warm and tropical waters, primarily in the Pacific and to remove tribals from areas
Indian Forest Act, 2019
Indian Oceans. • Forest officers can issue earmarked for conservation.
search warrants, enter • It will allow government to
• They are best known for their behavior of synchronized
and investigate land open any patch of forest it
nesting in mass numbers, termed arribadas.
within their jurisdictions deems fit for commercial
• Eating habits: Predominantly carnivorous. • Forest officers will get plantations
• Mass nesting sites (rookery) of Olive Ridley turtles are the ABOUT INDIAN FOREST ACT, 1927
following:
• Provides the legal framework for:
Gahirmatha marine sanctuary, largest mass nesting site
the protection and management of forest,
of olive ridley turtles.
transit of forest produce and timber, and
Rushikulya rookery coast
the duty leviable on timber and other forest produce.
Odisha government has also added Bahuda Rookery at
beach on Bahuda River mouth in Ganjam district. It is • It is an umbrella Act, which provides the basic architecture
located 20 km south of Rushikulya rookery coast. for the management of forests in the country including the
procedure to be followed for declaring an area to be a
• Protection status: IUCN Red List – Vulnerable; Listed in
Reserved Forest, a Protected Forest or a Village Forest.
Appendix I of CITES (the Convention on International
Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora). • It defines what a forest offence is, what are the acts
prohibited inside a Reserved Forest, and penalties leviable
CONSERVATION EFFORTS on violation of the provisions of the Act.
• Importance of Conservation-They serve as fundamental
link in marine ecosystems and help maintain the health of
coral reefs and sea grass beds.
• It is native to most of Europe, the Mediterranean Basin, • Ghoramara Island is about 30 km north of the Bay of
and a large part of Asia. Its intentional or accidental Bengal and has seen unprecedented erosion in last few
introductions to many regions, including parts of decades.
Australasia, Africa, and the Americas, make it the most • From 26 square km, it has shrunk to around 6.7 square
widely distributed wild bird. km.
• The house sparrow is strongly associated with human • The erosion has been rapid over the past four decades
habitation and can live in urban or rural settings. with about half of the land lost to the Ganga during this
• It is the state bird of Delhi. period. The population, once around 40,000, is now merely
• IUCN Red List: Least Concern. But nowadays its number 5,193, according at the 2011 census.
is depleting.
SUNDARBAN WETLAND
►West Bengal
GHORAMARA ISLAND • Sundarban Wetland is located within the largest
#Climate Change mangrove forest in the world, the Sundarbans, that
encompasses hundreds of islands and a maze of rivers,
rivulets and creeks, in the delta of the Rivers Ganges
IN NEWS and Brahmaputra on the Bay of Bengal in India and
Ghoramara Island in the Sundarbans delta of West Bengal is Bangladesh.
slowly being submerged by rising sea levels, forcing people to • The Sundarban Tiger Reserve is situated within the Site
migrate in large numbers. and part of it has been declared a "critical tiger habitat"
under national law and also a "Tiger Conservation
Landscape" of global importance.
• The Sundarbans are the only mangrove habitat which
supports a significant population of tigers, and they
have unique aquatic hunting skills. The Site is also
home to a large number of rare and globally
threatened species such as the critically endangered
northern river terrapin (Botogur baska), the
endangered Irrawaddy dolphin (Orcaella brevirostris),
and the vulnerable fishing cat [Prionoilurus viverrinus).
• It is listed as World Heritage Site and also in UNESCO
Biosphere Reserve
KAREZ SYSTEM
• Johad: Checkdams: Alwar, Rajasthan
RELATED INFORMATION: TRADITIONAL WATER- stored foods. Aside from this, humans and pets are
HARVESTING SYSTEMS OF INDIA primarily at risk only if they eat infected fish, birds or
maggots.
• Paar System/ Rejwani system : Water Pits: Western
Rajasthan including Jaisalmer
COUNTERING STUBBLE
CAUSES
• Botulism spores, the resting stage of the bacteria, are
abundant in anaerobic habitats (i.e. those lacking low
oxygen levels), such as soils, and aquatic sediments of
BURNING
many wetlands and lakes, and can be readily found in the #Pollution
gills and digestive tracts of healthy fish living in those
lakes.
IN NEWS
• The spores can remain in the ecosystem for extended
periods of time, even years, and are quite resistant to The Supreme Court ordered that the governments of Punjab,
temperature changes and drying. Haryana and Uttar Pradesh to immediately stop their farmers
from stubble burning. This issue has continuously been in
• These spores, themselves, are harmless until the correct
news, so let us look at solutions that have been proposed to
environmental factors and anaerobic conditions prompt
tackle the problem of pollution in Delhi.
them to germinate and begin the vegetative growth of the
toxin-producing bacterial cells. PROMOTING ECONOMIC VALUE FROM STUBBLE
• The active bacteria that causes avian botulism grow only in • Agriculture is a regenerative process, one which recycles.
a nutrient-rich substrate, such as in areas with large What is needed is to utilise every product in the process
amounts of decaying plant or animal materials, which are and return it to the soil in one form or another.
also anaerobic. • From 35 million tonnes of parali (Stubble burnt in the
• Fish that die for any reason and that contain the bacterial states of Haryana &Punjab), 21 million tonnes of high-
spores in their tissues are also suitable substrates for grade organic fertiliser can be obtained.
growth and toxin production by the bacteria. • The total amount of nitrogen, phosphorous, potassium
• Fish-eating birds that die of botulism are poisoned by and sulphur in the 23 million tonnes of parali annually
eating fish that contain the toxin. burnt in Northwest India is about seven lakh tonnes,
valued at Rs 1,000 crore.
• Ingestion of maggots from the carcass of an infected
animal can continue the spread of avian botulism, which • This apart, organic carbon is also destroyed during stubble
may be responsible for large kills of birds. burning. Thus, parali offers an important source for
meeting the nutrient requirements of crops and
ENVIRONMENTAL FACTORS REQUIRED
improving soil health.
• Outbreaks of avian botulism occur only when a variety of
• These nutrients also reduce the risk of cancers in Punjab
particular ecological factors occur concurrently. This
by reducing the levels of carcinogens in soil.
typically involves warmer water temperatures, anoxic
(oxygen-deprived) conditions and adequate levels of • However, the government needs to step in and engage
bacterial substrate in the form of decaying plants, algae already-existing mechanisms like the MGNREGA for this
and ponds, possibly resulting in an increase of avian natural enzymes under MGNREGA to generate high-
botulism incidents. grade compost, and also reduce air pollution in North
India.
SMOG TOWERS TO TACKLE POLLUTION PROBLEM • Eminent agricultural scientist M.S. Swaminathan suggested
that the Delhi, Haryana and Uttar Pradesh governments
• The Supreme Court directed the Centre and the Delhi
could set up 'Rice BioParks', where farmers could convert
government to draw up a comprehensive plan to install
stubble into income and employment.
‘smog towers’ across the capital to deal with air pollution.
• Recently, the Chennai-based M.S. Swaminathan Research
• Smog towers are structures designed to work as large-
Foundation (MSSRF) established a Rice BioPark at Nay Pyi
scale air purifiers.
Taw, Myanmar, funded by the Union Ministry of External
• They are usually fitted with multiple layers of air filters,
Affairs, which was inaugurated by the President of India.
which clean the air of pollutants as it passes through them.
• The Rice Biopark showed how stubble can be utilized to
• The filters installed in it use carbon nanofibres.
make products including paper, cardboard and animal
• China, which has been battling air pollution for a few years, feed.
has two smog towers — in its capital Beijing and in a
Chhattisgarh Model: A gauthan is a dedicated five-acre plot,
northern city called Xi’an.
held in common by each village, where all the unused parali
• The latter is dubbed as the world largest smog tower and (pairain Chhattisgarhi) is collected through parali daan
has reportedly brought down PM 2.5 by 19% in an area of (people’s donations) and is converted into organic fertiliser by
around 6 Sq km in the tower’s vicinity. rural youth. This provides them a living.
RICE BIO-PARKS
practice questions
MCQs
1. Birds at the Sambhar lake have died due to Avian 3. In which of the following places mangrove forests
Botulism. It is caused by which of the following ? is/are found in India?
a) Virus 1. Kori Creek
b) Bacteria 2. Sundarbans
c) Protozoa 3. Bhitarkanika
d) Fungi Select the correct answer using the codes given below:
a) 1 only
2. Which of the following statements highlight the b) 1 and 2 only
importance of Mangroves forests? c) 2 and 3 only
1. They protect land from coastal erosion. d) 1, 2 and 3
2. They act as nature's shield against cyclones, ecological
disasters. 4. Which of the following statements is/are correct
Select the correct answer using the codes given below: about Olive Ridley Turtles?
a) 1 only 1. They are herbivorous.
b) 2 only 2. They are found only on the eastern coast of India.
c) Both 1 and 2 Select the correct answer using the codes given below:
d) Neither 1 nor 2 a) 1 only
descriptive Questions
Q1. Discuss the likely impact of US withdrawal from Paris Climate deal on its global implementation and on India?
Q2. What are the factors that are leading to Sea level Rise? Discuss the consequences of the rise in the Sea level.
BHAONA, ASSAM
• Entertainment played a major role in the neo-
Vaishnavite movement that Sankardeva started
in Assam.
#Art and Culture
• He wrote his prose in Sanskrit but used Assamese and
Brajavali to develop Borgeet, a new form of spiritual
IN NEWS music, and Bhaona.
Recently, Bhaona, a folk theatre form of Assam reached global • Linguistic researchers say Sankardeva needed to connect
audience. Bhaona is traditionally performed in the Brajavali with his Assamese masses, who did not expect the divine
language, developed by Shankardev exclusively for this theatre characters of his plays to speak in the common man’s
form. In this respect, let us learn about this theatre form and language.
its significance. • So, he created the Brajavali, a literary language limited to
ABOUT BHAONA theatrical usage.
• The former is played by men and is short, broad and a bit ABOUT SURANGA BAWADI: HISTORY AND
heavy. It is usually tucked into the tongali that is tied RESTORATION
around the waist or inserted into the gamocha tied around
• Suranga Bawadi is an integral part of the ancient Karez
the head.
system of supplying water through subterranean
• The Lahori Gogona is performed by women. It is
tunnels.
slenderer and long.
• It was built during Adil Shahi era in Karnataka’s and is
• While performing Bihu dance, women tuck this instrument
now set to get funding for restoration.
into their knotted hair.
• The monument has been selected under the “Ancient
Water System of the Deccan Plateau” by the World
Monuments Fund (the NGO), which monitors restoration
of ancient monuments across the globe.
#Ancient India #Medieval India • The Adil Shahis built the magnificent underground system
to supply water to the city, which had a population of
nearly 12 lakh then.
IN NEWS RELATED INFORMATION: WORLD MONUMENTS
World Monuments Fund (WMF) has included Suranga Bawadi FUND (WMF)
in the World Monument Watch list for 2020 along with other
• World Monuments Fund (WMF) is a private,
monuments from across the world. In this respect, let us
international, non-profit organization dedicated to the
understand the key information pertaining to this monument.
preservation of historic architecture and cultural heritage
sites around the world through fieldwork, advocacy, grant RELATED INFORMATION: HOYSALAS-ART AND
making, education, and training. ARCHITECTURE
• Founded in 1965, WMF is headquartered in New York. In
• With the waning of Chola and Pandya power, the Hoysalas
addition to hands-on management, the affiliates identify,
of Karnataka grew to prominence in South India and
develop, and manage projects, negotiate local
became the most important patrons centred at
partnerships, and attract local support to complement
Mysore.
funds provided by donors.
• The remains of around hundred temples have been found
• Every two years WMF publishes the World Monuments
in southern Deccan, though it is only three of them that
Watch (formerly the World Monuments Watch List of 100
are most frequently discussed: the temples at Belur,
Most Endangered Sites).
Halebid and Somnathpuram.
• Since the first list was compiled in 1996, this program has
• Perhaps the most characteristic feature of these temples
drawn international attention to cultural heritage sites
is that they grow extremely complex with so many
around the world threatened by neglect, vandalism, armed
projecting angles emerging from the previously
conflict, commercial development, natural disasters, and
straightforward square temple, that the plan of these
climate change.
temples starts looking like a star, and is thus known as
• Through the World Monuments Watch, WMF fosters a stellateplan.
community support for the protection of endangered sites,
• Since they are made out of soapstone which is a
and attracts technical and financial support for the sites.
relatively soft stone, the artists were able to carve their
sculptures intricately.
TEMPLE
• The Hoysaleshvara temple (Lord of the Hoysalas) at
Halebid in Karnataka was built in dark schist stone by
the Hoysala king in 1150.
#Art and Culture #Medieval India
• Hoysala temples are sometimes called hybrid or vesara
as their unique style seems neither completely dravida
• The temple attracts a large number of devotees on Recently, Hyderabad has been officially designated as a
Vaikuntha Ekadashi and during the month of Karthika. UNESCO Creative City of Gastronomy. In this respect, let us
understand about the significance of this tag and inclusive and sustainable, in line with the United Nations
Hyderabad’s rich food culture. 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.
UCCN Tag • The 7 categories for recognition under UCCN are:- Crafts
and Folk Arts; Design; Film; Gastronomy; Music; Media
• UNESCO has designated Hyderabad as a member of
Arts; Literature.
UNESCO Creative Cities Network (UCCN) in the field of
GASTRONOMY.
• There were four schools or vanis of singing the suggestion that “Valluvan, or priest of the Pariah tribe,
dhrupad. found the deserted child [in a grove in Chennai], and
reared him as his own.”
1. The Gauhar vani developed the raga or unadorned
melodic figures.
• The spring (jhira) that bears his name still exists in the
• Thiruvalluvar is regarded as a cultural and moral icon for
town near Gurudwara Guru Nanak Jhira Sahib.
Tamils across caste and religious lines.
ABOUT GURU NANAK DEV
• The period when he lived is debated, as is his religious
identity. • Guru Nanak, was born in the village of Talwandi (now
called Nankana) in 1469.
• Some place him in the third or fourth century; others
put him in the eighth or ninth. • He died at Kartarpurin in 1538.
• Some call him a Hindu; some trace his past to Jainism; • He founded the Sikh faith, introducing the concept of one
Dravidian groups count him as a saint with no religious God.
identifiers except his Dravidian roots. • Like Kabir, Nanak also preached a casteless, universal, anti-
• In his 1873 book Tamil Wisdom, British scholar Edward ritualistic, monotheistic and highly spiritual religion.
Jewitt Robinson wrote about the saint, including the
• He started the institution of Guru Ka Langar. Langar in the Satyagraha campaign which Gandhi led at that
the Sikh religion refers to the common kitchen where food time.
is served to everyone without any discrimination. • It was here at Tolstoy Farm that Gandhi tried to
• He emphasized the equality of women, rejected the path understand how to bring diverse people together on a
of renunciation and he rejected the authority of the Vedas. common platform.
• His approach aimed at bridging distinctions between the • He never made a distinction between his personal
Hindus and the Muslims. philosophy and his political philosophy they merged into
• He was the contemporary of Mughal emperor - Babur. • Gandhi introduced vocational training to give "all-round
development to the boys and girls" at this farm.
practice questions
MCQs
Q1. Consider the following statements: (c) Both 1 and 2 (d) Neither 1 nor 2
1. Bhaona is the traditional theatre of Manipur.
2. It was given impetus by saint Shankardev. Q2. The ancient Karez system is believed to be one of
Select the correct answer using the code given below: the best water systems in the world. It was started
(c) Adil Shahi (d) Chola Select the correct answer using the code given below:
(a) 1 only (b) 2 only
Q3. The Gogona instrument is associated with which of (c) Both 1 and 2 (d) Neither 1 nor 2
the following folk dances?
(a) Chhau (b) Bihu Q5. Consider the following statements:-
(c) Yakshagana (d) Thang Ta 1. Guru Nanak Dev was the contemporary of Mughal
emperor - Akbar.
Q4. With respect to UCCN tag, which of the following 2. Janam-Sakhis are hagiographic narratives of Guru
statements is/are correct? Nanak Dev.
1. It comes under the aegis of UNESCO. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
2. Hyderabad and Mumbai are the only cities in India to (a) 1 only (b) 2 only
receive this tag. (c) Both 1 and 2 (d) Neither 1 nor 2
descriptive Questions
Q1. The transformation of MK Gandhi into a mass leader began much before his return to India. Comment with respect to his
activities in South Africa.
SECURITY
# GS Paper III (Main)
The Naga peace talks ended on an ambiguous note. The • 1946: Formation of Naga National Council (NNC), under
NSCN-IM has accused the Union government to have the leadership of Angami Zapu Phizo, which declared
backtracked on its commitments made in the historic Nagaland an independent state on August 14, 1947.
framework agreement signed in 2015. • 1951: The NNC resolved to establish a “sovereign Naga
state” and conducted a “referendum”, in which “99 per
cent” supported an “independent” Nagaland.
• 1952: Phizo formed the underground Naga Federal
Government (NFG) and the Naga Federal Army (NFA).
• 1958: The Indian government enacted the Armed Forces
(Special Powers) Act in Nagaland
• 1963: Nagaland attains statehood
• 1975: The Shillong Accord was signed between the
government and a section of the Naga National Council
(NNC), under which this NNC faction and the
underground Naga Federal Government (NFG) laid down
arms. A group led by Thuingaleng Muivah refused to
accept the Accord.
• 1980: Thuingaleng Muivah formed the National Socialist
Council of Nagaland (NSCN), with Isak Chishi Swu and S S
Khaplang.
• 1988: The NSCN split into two groups, led by Isak and
Muivah, and Khaplang. NSCN-IM came to be seen as the
predominant Naga rebel outfit.
• 1997: An agreement was signed between Government
and Naga armed groups.
• 2015: NSCN-IM, gave up the idea of Naga sovereignty and
“agreed for a settlement within the Indian
federation”. While the NSCN-K unilaterally broke the
agreement in 2015, and was subsequently declared an
unlawful association under The Unlawful Activities
(Prevention) Act, 1967.
Security
• 2017: NSCN (K) is opposed to the talks with the o The uncertainty and anxiety of Meitei groups that a
government and continues violent methods, though solution to the Naga issues would come at the cost of
Khaplang died in 2017, weakening it. Manipur’s territorial integrity.
• NSCN (IM) demand a “Greater Nagalim” comprising “all • Similar demand from various factions: Role of
contiguous Naga-inhabited areas”, along with Nagaland. democracy has been undermined by political instability in
That included several districts of Assam, Arunachal and the state leading to separate demands by different
Manipur, as also a large tract of Myanmar. groups.
• 2018: NSCN-K has decided to revoke its decision of o Apprehension of Kuki groups that any solution to the
unilaterally abrogating the ceasefire agreement with the Naga issue would cut up their imagined homeland.
Union government with immediate effect.
ISSUES ARISING DUE TO THIS:
• 2019: The Centre and rebel groups could not reach a final
• Assam, Manipur and Arunachal Pradesh are sceptical
understanding – four years after the inking of the Naga
about the demand for creation of Greater Nagalim
peace accord in 2015.
because it could lead to the redrawing of their
CURRENT STANDOFF boundaries. The final outcomes may affect the states in
The demand for a separate Naga Flag and constitution lead terms of polity and governance, commerce and trade, as
to the deadlock of a final agreement between the well as cultural and ethnic unity.
government and the NSCN(IM). • Instability and Peace of the north-east region is getting
• NSCN(IM) agreed to a settlement without a Constitution disturbed due to various rumours of unilaterally signing
but demanded a conditional flag to be used only for of the Naga Accord and it is evident with protest
nongovernmental purposes. especially by the Meiteis.
• NSCN(IM) would have to persuade states of Assam, • People losing faith in the governance and also the peace
Manipur and Arunachal Pradesh to give parts of their process due to the overall mismanagement of the
territories inhabited by the Naga people for creation of conflict. Prolonged peace negotiations without any
‘Greater Nagalim’. conclusion have seemingly lost the desired faith and
hope.
Ministry of Home Affairs has communicated that there has
been no final settlement. Further clarification was rendered WAY FORWARD
that for reaching to any settlement there will be wide Government should try to clear the ambiguity around
consultation with every stakeholder including states of “special arrangement” related to the 2015 agreement,
Assam, Manipur and Arunachal Pradesh especially on how the shared sovereignty will be exercised.
ROAD BLOCK TO NAGA PEACE TALKS The government through peaceful negotiations and wider
consultations try to reach for a gradual, honourable and
• Differing positions of the rebel groups on the core
acceptable solution by every stakeholder. Competing tribes
issue of a separate flag and a constitution for Nagas
like Kukis, the Nagas and Meiteis should be taken into
being a part of the final solution makes it difficult for the
confidence.
government to get all stakeholders on board for a
conclusion of the Naga peace talks.
o This could lead to changes in the federal dynamics of the
country.
MILITARY EXERCISES
• Territorial Integrity: States of Assam, Manipur and # Security
Arunachal Pradesh would not agree to part away their KAZIND: INDO-KAZAKHSTAN MILITARY EXERCISE
land for ‘Greater Nagalim’.
• The fourth edition of joint Indo-Kazakhstan military
o In Manipur, for long, the Meiteis and the Nagas and Kukis
exercise KAZIND-2019 concluded at Pithoragarh,
have been demanding ethnic homeland.
Uttarakhand.
Security
• Exercise KAZIND-2019 was very successful in increasing • A major military exercise of Indian Army 'Exercise-SINDU
the bonhomie and camaraderie amongst both the SUDARSHAN-VII' was conducted with over 40,000 troops
participating nations. participating in it.
• The troops shared best practices being followed by both • The exercise aims to validate the battle readiness and
nations in counter terrorism operations in operational effectiveness of Sudarshan Chakra Corps in
mountainous and jungle terrain. an integrated air land battle scenario.
• The exercise provided an opportunity to both the armies • The exercise showcased the seamless integration
for greater understanding and strengthening mutual between Armoured, Mechanised Infantry, Artillery, Army
trust and cooperation. Air Defence, Attack Helicopter of Army Aviation, Air Force
resources as well as the Special Forces.
DHARMA GUARDIAN: INDO-JAPAN MILITARY
EXERCISE • The combined arms cohesion displayed the integrated
employment of mechanised forces with the newly
• The second edition of bilateral annual military exercise
inducted K-9 Vajra (SP Gun system) and indigenous
Dharma Guardian - 2019 between Indian and Japanese
Advance Light Helicopter 'Rudra' with innovative technical
Army culminated at Counter Insurgency and Jungle
skills and prowess of IA as Network Centric Force.
Warfare School (CIJWS) Vairengte, Mizoram.
EXERCISE NOMADIC ELEPHANT- XIV: INDO-
• The primary focus of the exercise was to train and equip
the contingents in counter insurgency and counter- MONGOLIAN JOINT MILITARY EXERCISE
terrorism operations in mountainous terrain. • Fourteenth edition of Indo - Mongolian joint military
• Besides fostering mutual understanding & trust, this training, Exercise Nomadic Elephant–XIV concluded at
marks reaffirmation of India & Japan to further bolster Bakloh (Himachal Pradesh).
bilateral security and defence cooperation. • It is aimed at training troops in counter insurgency &
counter terrorism operations under United Nations
EXERCISE SHAKTI: INDO–FRENCH JOINT TRAINING
mandate.
EXERCISE
EX EKUVERIN: INDO-MALDIVES
• The Indo–French joint training EX SHAKTI – 2019
concluded at Mahajan, Rajasthan. • Tenth edition of the Joint Military Exercise Ekuverin
between the Indian Army and the Maldives National
• It is a biennial exercise and is conducted alternately in
Defence Force was organised at Pune.
India and France.
• The Indian Army and the Maldives National Defence
• The exercise is focused upon joint training on Counter
Forces have been conducting Exercise Ekuverin meaning
Insurgency/ Counter Terrorism environment.
‘Friends’ in the Dhivehi language since 2009.
EXERCISE DUSTLIK: INDO-UZBEKISTAN JOINT FIELD
• The Joint Exercise held alternatively in India and Maldives
TRAINING EXERCISE
focuses on enhancing interoperability between the two
• The inaugural (i.e. First) Indo-Uzbekistan Joint Field forces for carrying out counter insurgency and counter-
Training Exercise (FTX)-2019, Exercise DUSTLIK-2019 was terrorism operations in a semi-urban environment under
conducted in November. the United Nations mandate.
• It was conducted at Chirchiq Training Area, Uzbekistan. • The focus of the exercise was on sharing of best practices
• In the joint exercise training was focused on counter and acquainting each other with the operating
insurgency and counter terrorism operations in urban procedures being followed while undertaking counter
scenario. insurgency and counter-terrorism operations.
EXERCISE SINDU SUDARSHAN-VII: INDIAN ARMY • The last exercise was held in 2018 at Northern Area
Headquarters, Lh. Maafilaafushi of Maldives.
Security
• India shares very close ethnic, linguistic, cultural, religious Ekuverin will assist in further strengthening of these ties
and commercial ties with the Maldives and Exercise between the two nations.
practice questions
MCQs
Q.1) Meitie tribe is native of which of the following (b) 2 only
states? (c) Both 1 and 2
(a) Mizoram (d) Neither 1 nor 2
(b) Manipur
(c) Nagaland Q.3) Consider the following statements:
(d) Tripura 1. Exercise Shakti is biennial exercise and is conducted
alternately in India and Thailand.
Q.2) Consider the following statements: 2. Exercise Shakti is focused upon joint training on
1. DHARMA GUARDIAN annual military exercise Counter Insurgency/ Counter Terrorism environment.
between Indian and Japanese Navy. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
2. The primary focus of DHARMA GUARDIAN IS to train (a) 1 only
and equip the contingents in counter-terrorism (b) 2 only
operations on open seas. (c) Both 1 and 2
Which of the statements given above is/are correct? (d) Neither 1 nor 2
(a) 1 only
Miscellaneous
BALLON D'OR WORLD ATHLETICS
#Global Award #Football #Global Award #Football
Miscellaneous
Part TWO
Ethics, Integrity
& Aptitude
Coverage from varied sources
All the questions given below are connected with different shades of consciousness and values, and the answers for all
these require deep insight about oneself, surroundings and their inter-relationship.
To answer these, this section is containing thoughts shared by people on human personality, consciousness and values.
So, by reading them, try to figure out the answers.
Q. “A man is but a product of his thoughts. What he thinks Q. All human beings aspire for happiness. Do you agree?
he becomes.” – M.K. Gandhi (UPSC 2019) What does happiness mean to you? Explain with examples.
(UPSC 2014)
Q. “Anger and intolerance are the enemies of correct
understanding. “ - Mahatma Gandhi (UPSC 2018) Q. The current society is plagued with widespread trust-
deficit. What are the consequences of this situation for
Q. One of the tests of integrity is complete refusal to be personal well-being and for societal well-being? What can
compromised. Explain with reference to a real life example. you do at the personal level to make yourself trustworthy?
(UPSC 2017) (UPSC 2014)
Q. The crisis of ethical values in modern times is traced to a Q. What do you understand by the following terms in the
narrow perception of the good life. Discuss. context of public service?
(UPSC 2017) a. Integrity b. Perseverance c. Spirit of service
d. Commitment e. Courage of conviction
(UPSC 2013)
ASSESSMENT TIME:
Let us start by reading, and pondering on the text given below.
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Giving, not hoarding, is the only hope in an increasingly him away politely as he approached. He smiled and
violent world…. continued walking wearily up the slope from the fields to the
road. Even though everything about his appearance spoke of
Contrasting approach
his poverty, it became clear that his goal was not to sell but to
Many years ago, when we stopped at an isolated spot on a give his sugarcane to my children who had stepped out of the
highway running through Mandya in Karnataka, an old car. He wanted nothing in return.
farmer came to us carrying sugarcane. I was so used to being
I have forgotten many things, but not that unknown peasant
accosted by hawkers and sellers that I began to very wave
who wanted to give something to a stranger and sought
nothing in return. Recently, another example made me think seems to have passed many peoples’ understanding.
about another philosophy of life. Education to refine the mind, to help young people to
accept and give of themselves rather than hoard, is the
Asha and her cousins triumphantly brought mangoes and
beginning of the only kind of wisdom that might one day
guavas to their grandmother. They were holidaying at their
save the world. Humans have survived successfully
village homestead and had lain in wait for the children from
everywhere not because primitive societies fought each other
the village who used to raid their family orchard. The city
over resources but because we suppressed our selfishness
children had pounced on village children of the same age,
and learned to cooperate.
challenged them, and successfully retrieved all the “stolen
goods.” In the history of time, our industrialised age is as yet only a
blip. It is not too late to teach the values of mutual
Contrasting thought process
progress and co-operation in order to look beyond the self.
Their grandmother looked at the fruits on the verandah and
But we are also living in times when technology is persuading
was not impressed.
people to become more and more self-oriented. Sensitising
“What’s the matter with you children? Don’t you get to eat large populations may never come through; but if pockets of
sufficient mangoes and berries from what is stored indoors for understanding and perception are created, there might still
the family?” be hope for an increasingly violent world whose leaders have
“Yes, but this too belongs to the house.” forgotten that sharing — not possessing — is the
foundation of our existence.
“It belongs to your compound, grandmother.”
What does sharing provides?
“It belongs to us.”
Ans. It gives us the right to live.
“They have no right to it.”
“Listen to me. After we eat well, the rest is to be left on those trees
for those children to help themselves. It belongs to them. It is
their right to raid the tree which has so much to give. Go and give
all the fruits back to them and apologise for your rudeness.”
Why do we ruin our peace by not being truthful? Demonstration: Last year, in a class, the teacher pointed out
the damage falsehood inflicts on one’s physical and
What is man but a fragment of the universe? Yet, we have
emotional health. “They are incalculable,” he said, drawing
pitted our puny selves against the infinite silence of space
our attention to the lie-detector or polygraph. The slightest
and dared to disturb the Moon, Mars and Saturn. Though
resistance from the brain to the truth/lie challenge sets the
taking a flight is now far more common than it used to be 40
machine leaping. So think how seriously a lie (even a social fib
years ago, I’m unfailingly impressed by our technological
meant to enhance our personal status) can affect one’s long-
triumph every time I’m strapped down in a slender cigarillo of
term health.
metal and glass as it roars down the runaway before it lifts
off, carrying hundreds of passengers and their luggage. A chart prepared by Ryan Morris and Shelley Sperry for an
article in National Geographic Magazine shows a wide
Consider our skills and deft manipulation of our external
pattern of lies and how not all lies are the same. These are:
environment!
Personal transgressions to cover up a mistake or misdeed (22%)
wooden cot to a tube of toothpaste to a pair of scissors — When the motives are unclear even to the one who lies (7%)
has emerged from the great cornucopia that is Earth? From
Most psychologists say that the truth comes naturally to
the humble grass that feeds our cattle to the materials
everyone and that it takes a clever and flexible mind to lie
needed to carry out intricate surgeries and help us
consistently.
communicate with people thousands of miles away? One only
needs to read a novel set in the 18th century or the logbook What about the half-truth? “Yes, he did borrow from me.”
of a ship’s captain of that time to learn that not so long ago, it That the borrower returned what he took might be
took six months to get a message across to another country suppressed in the telling. The problem with this is that the
or to the origin of contact of a ship as it sailed the vast teller often forgets where he put the other half of the truth.
oceans.
When honesty is not only the best policy but also
All these images crossed my mind as I thought of our the best sleeping pill, why are we ruining our inner
complex relationship with the truth. Why would such a environment the way we have the external?
successful species want to hide behind falsehood?
Does this sound familiar? pride and prejudice are held firmly in place by the spokes of
vigilant shareholders in credit and benefit-sharing.
“I hope you won’t forget that you got this chance because of
me. It was I who introduced you…I who recommended you…if Contrast
I hadn’t spotted this opening you may never have made it…”
The opposite view is taken by emotionally mature people or
Common trait those who are more philosophical in their outlook. They do
not expect to be singled out for praise or reward for work
Most people not only want to succeed but wish to take
undertaken because they
credit for someone else’s success.
see themselves as part of
Vanity and self-seeking attended even the first recitation of a larger plan.
Kamban’s Ramayana in the temple at Srirangam. The poet
Do we know who really
had to satisfy various conditions demanded by the priests
wrote the
who asked for approval from a wide spectrum of society. This
marvellous prayers
included the learned and influential Jains in the village of
and devotional
Tirunarunkontai, who wanted to know if they had been
poems we recite or teach
mentioned in the book. Kamban quoted verse 2-27-56 to
our children to memorise?
satisfy them.
They say that this king or
Even a great Chola-period poet could not ignore the realities
that queen built this monument or bridge or fort. Really? What
of social ambition for being given credit or acknowledgement.
about the engineers and masons, the load-bearers and the
Perhaps, it is a deep mammalian trait — this longing for artisans who did not even have artificial light to do the work?
acknowledgement — which is synonymous with insecurity
How many of us think of the electricians who manage the lights
and identity in a group. When a corporate group surges
and microphones at a complex performance of dance or music?
ahead and wins a portion of the market, everyone wants a
Without them, would the performances be as effective as they
share of its financial success. “We thank all our employees for
usually are? No.
making this happen…” speeches are peppered with such
sentiments but only a few people are rewarded for the work Giving credit for the labour and time spent on team work is a
of many. Those who study the behaviour of primates ticklish thing. Years of grievance attend those who come up
recognise a number of traits they share with human societies. with good ideas and projects, but whose work is cornered
Chimps compete continuously with one another, even while and absorbed without acknowledgement by seniors or peers
they live together and survive as a group. When the mother who dishonestly take the credit for those very ideas. Of
of a young chimp is not around, other adult females even try course, with collaborative work it is not always clear who did
to harm her baby — so envious are they of any potential rival what; but an effort must be made to reward, or at least
for food, space or attention. This partiality and meanness is a openly praise, the one who put it forward in the first place.
manifest part of life in a joint family of humans where some
children are favoured above others. And so, the wheels of
Life is everyone’s business. Standing up and expressing In schools, colleges, offices and at home, how often do we
your feelings is best! stay silent because, speaking up would cause an uproar?
Perhaps, a big factor is knowing when to assert yourself, The next time you
either on your own behalf or on behalf of someone else. are face-to-face
Despite the risks, here are a few reasons why standing up with something
and expressing your feelings is best. that, either through
ignorance or lack of
One, silence is often seen to be a sign of approval. You could be
information, is hurting
seen as collaborating with a situation.
someone or a process —
Two, it is selfish to take care of your own comfort and allow the speak up! You have a duty
wrong thing to happen. “Let’s wait and watch” is a poor response to yourself and to your
when you know something bad might be averted if someone friends, family and
important heard the truth from you. colleagues to right a wrong
Three, honesty is a virtue which is in short supply. With it goes by registering your protest.
trust, especially when combined with tact and sensitivity. It is It might be loud music in
crucial to demonstrate that you are not afraid to speak the truth. the neighbourhood which disturbs everyone, particularly
infants and the elderly. It might be harassment of a domestic
Four, sharing and communicating is a sign of confidence. No one worker which you witness but hesitate to challenge, believing
else may know precisely what you do. So, your contribution might it is none of your business. It might be injustice or dishonesty
make a small difference to adjusting the big picture to everyone’s which goes unchecked because no one thought it was his or
benefit. Never withhold information. her business.
Lastly, when you speak up, it will almost certainly encourage Speak up! Life is everyone’s business.
others to do so too. Group silence, when everyone knows
something wrong is being done, is as great an offence as a single
person doing the wrong thing.
Basking in a life of comfort and convenience, have we How has the human race survived?
forgotten the wisdom of the tribal communities and the
How did India, for
role they played in ensuring our survival?
instance, evolve its
In nearly every culture, there exists the notion that cultural food culture?
refinement is city-based. Dwellers in the woods and forests Because for
are seen to be uncouth, undeveloped and far from ‘civilized’. thousands of years,
Organised economy, defence and learning are available only we have eaten the
in cities which are considered safer than forests. And so it right food.
follows that moving away from ‘kaadu’ or the ‘van’ is a move
Who selected and
in the right direction. In some cultures, the forest is the
developed the
equivalent of wilderness — again, undesirable, and the
natural food
opposite of security which assures pleasing gentility, polish
Indians eat?
and artful speech. Tribals are viewed with some degree of
disdain, as peoples who were bypassed by civilization and Who decided what roots and leaves one might eat safely?
its benefits. Who found out which tubers and fruits are poisonous?
Are we confusing comforts and convenience with progress?
Who spread the word about which animal’s flesh is suitable for ones. Imagine that! Our taste buds were honed by our tribal
humans and which ones should be avoided? ancestors.
Who discovered dyes, resins and gums that are commercially India has one of the largest tribal populations in the world —
produced today? 90 million. There are 624 Adivasi communities who constitute
8 per cent of the population.
It was the adivasis. They were our first teachers. They
shared their knowledge by passing it on through stories and Other contributions of tribals:
songs. The adivasis (original inhabitants) were the earliest
Several Indian languages are a mix of mainstream
occupants of our country. They spread across the Indian
languages and tribal dialects. Many art forms also
subcontinent; living in forested hills far away from the plains
draw inspiration from tribal art and crafts as they speak
and viewing their forest homes as sacred.
deeply to the origins of our sense of aesthetics. Rich in a
Many years ago, when social worker Sudha Murthy visited a vibrant tradition but impoverished and marginalised due
tribal settlement in Karnataka, she spoke with an elder of the to prejudice against them, tribal society is distinguished
community. She could not help noticing that he had beautiful by the absence of two things: obesity and the caste
teeth, his skin was barely wrinkled and his hair was still black. system. Tribals do not exploit other people’s labour, they do
Unable to contain her curiosity, she asked about his youthful not ignore their widows, stigmatise raped women or leave
appearance. He smiled and said that he ate only forest their orphans to beg. Nor do they destroy nature to build
products and never added salt to his food. He also pointed edifices to human pride.
out that there were several medicinal plants in the forest
Therefore, not only should we respect the adivasis as we are
which his forefathers had originally spotted. Many fruits now
historically indebted to them, but also because we have much
grown on the plains were originally identified by the tribals.
to learn from them.
The collection of wild honey for medicinal purposes was also
started by them. He told her that it was the adivasis who In short:
found out that the fruit of the tomato plant may be eaten, but Sharing; being truthful; praising others; taking a stand against
not its leaves which are toxic. Through trial and error, the wrongs; and learning from others inspire ethical approach,
adivasis cultivated useful foods and rejected the harmful promote integrity, and nurture right aptitude.
It is something which keeps the true essence of policies undertaken by their governments; it is something
democracy alive in a country which keeps the true essence of democracy alive. There are
many instances in the past of governance and society
Supporting one’s country policies and decisions is one part
improving because of the positive criticism by some people
of keeping it on the path of prosperity and development,
or group of them. These examples give democracies around
while keeping track of government activities, being vigilant
the world a chance of improving the quality of governance
about them and highlighting loopholes in policies are also
and hence create a better society.
needed in a democracy.
In recent years in India, there has been a gradual change in
In our country, we have people with different ideologies —
perspective of the people regarding their governments. While
some criticise the government policies and some support it,
some of them are a very good sign of a progressive society,
while others remain at the top of it appreciating the good
some of them are quite worrying too. There is a common
policies and highlighting the drawbacks to improve
notion among some citizens that if they speak something
governance. It’s common nowadays to see society divided
against the actions of their government, then it’s probably
into segments each with a different perspective about the
against the nation too.
This idea which is significant in numbers need to be other activities which are brought to notice by the people
thoroughly assessed. Chances might be there that some of itself.
the criticism may not be on the right note, but many of it if
Some experts believe that praise and support of people are
considered by the governments can be helpful in the real-
very crucial for maintaining efficient governance as it keeps
time assessment of the needs and expectations of the people
leaders and bureaucrats motivated to work more to increase
from the government. Unfortunately, there is a decline in
the overall output of governmental activities on the ground.
these voices nowadays because of the type of mandate which
This is true in practice too but it should be kept in mind that
India got in the 2019 election. People who voted for the
the power vested in the hands of people in a democracy is
current government think that it's wrong to speak against the
not only utilised for blindly praising the government but it
government which they elected to power.
should be used as an aid, to advise and correct the
People should realise that it is not the driving force of government whenever required so that the efficiency and
praise and overwhelming support which keeps the quality of governance is maintained.
wheels of a government moving but also the steering
Note: Above consideration on improving governance through
force of people’s participation which keep a check on
people’s participation is also asked in a question by UPSC:-
government, and modify it, if the policies fail to meet the
expectations of society as a whole. If people’s criticism UPSC Question: “Effectiveness of the government system at
reaches the government’s ear at an appropriate time and in various levels and people’s participation in the governance
significant numbers, then a lot of resources of the system are inter-dependent.” Discuss their relationship with each
governmental machinery can be utilised wisely for some other in context of India.
A culture of cleanliness and tidiness must be inculcated waterbodies are far from clean. Even the piped treated water
from an early age that is supplied by municipal authorities is not fit for drinking.
Most homes have some sort of filter to clean the water
Those who have travelled overseas are struck by the
before use. Others may boil the water before use. In sharp
orderliness and cleanliness of public places in sharp contrast
contrast, a few cities round the globe claim proudly that their
to what is happening back home. No one tells a child to keep
city water supply is fit for drinking straight from the tap.
the surroundings clean and not to litter. It is the way a child is
brought up that inspires a desire for cleanliness. I was away in a remote part of Japan waiting for a connecting
train at a small wayside station. A young girl was also waiting
That is the reason it is difficult to find even a scrap of paper
for the train. I watched her taking out a candy from her bag
or plastics on the streets or outside homes in many foreign
and eat it. Afterwards, she walked briskly to a nearby waste
countries. That applies to cleanliness on board trains, buses
bin provided on the platform to deposit the wrapper. Such is
and trams that are in public service. No one throws anything
the level of awareness to keep surroundings clean from a
outside a running train or bus as it is considered taboo.
young age. It is the culture of cleanliness and tidiness which is
We adopt a dual standard. We tend to keep our house and inculcated from an early age. It is not that our youngsters are
neighbourhood clean, but have no compunction in throwing not aware of the need to keep surroundings clean. But for
dirt and discarded objects outside. The logic is someone is most others, it is sheer apathy and carelessness that makes
there to clean up and pick up the discard. People in general them litter.
hold rivers in respect but do not hesitate to throw things in
the river. That is the reason our rivers, lakes and other
When a toilet is not available, what does a person do? He have been first to build treatment plants and then lead the
uses any public place to ease himself. I observed a person clean water into the river. Such simple priorities are being
soiling a wall. I asked his companion why he was doing so. overlooked in the enthusiasm to achieve something big. It
“Maybe, he couldn’t have waited till he found a toilet,” replied has become more of publicity rather than actual work.
his friend. That person after finishing his business came near
me, “Sir, you are right. But I couldn’t help it. Please provide a
toilet nearby.” I kept quiet as I had no answer.
Admitting and learning from mistakes should be the aircraft crashes. It was the U.S. media — including The New
right way to go, and Indians need to learn that York Times, The Washington Post and USA Today — that were
in the forefront of debates on certain technical flaws in the
A few months ago, I visited a museum of history in Berlin
software used in the aircraft that could have led to the
called the Topography of Terror. The exhibits in this indoors-
accidents. An article in The New York Times (March 23, 2019)
and-outdoors museum portray heinous crimes committed by
even said it was Boeing’s relentless competition with its
the Nazis. Here, the thought that came to me was of
European rival Airbus for orders from America’s own airlines
tolerance and conflicts of interest. Topography of Terror is
that led to security lapses. American airlines were considering
funded and managed by the German government —
placing orders for hundreds of jet aircraft with Boeing’s
proof that Germans are fine with self-reflection and
European rival Airbus, which forced Boeing into a frenzied
criticism.
rush, and in record time it developed and deployed the 737
In many leading democracies, such introspection and MAX 8, even overlooking certain key safety features.
criticism are tolerated. Consider the recent Boeing 737 MAX Americans, like Germans, aren’t afraid of such self-criticism.
Can I even imagine a museum in Delhi portraying some of the told him he had so enjoyed his cartoon that morning, and
mistakes Indians have committed, in line with Topography of asked if he may have a signed copy of it.
Terror? A museum on sati, the caste system, honour killings,
Tolerance for criticism, introspection, learning
mob lynching and so on? Tolerance for criticism and dissent
from mistakes and feedback loops are indeed
vary substantially across time and space. Our own level of
hallmarks of logic and scientific methodology. If
tolerance, while far below that of the majority of developed
we don’t criticise other people’s mistakes and our own
countries, is still higher than that of many West Asian
past acts, and, more important, learn from the mistakes,
countries, China, and so on.
how can we progress? If Germans can criticise their own
A few decades ago, our own tolerance level was arguably past actions and make remarkable progress in terms of
higher than it is today. Consider, for example, how Jawaharlal education, health and standard of living, why can’t we do it
Nehru reacted to certain political caricatures criticising him, too? Let’s accept that we have made mistakes in the past (and
done by cartoonist R.K. Laxman. One morning, Laxman was make them in the present time, too), in order to move
surprised to receive a call from Nehru. The Prime Minister forward by learning from the mistakes, to march towards a
better India.
GET STARTED !
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Here, we are sharing case studies for self- practice. These case studies are drawn from various aspects of professional and
personal experiences, and are helpful for General Studies- Paper IV. Do practice them!
her and also it may trouble her more as she herself will be 1. Anticipating specific threats to ethical standards and
responsible for injustice. integrity in the civil services.
Option I- seems to be the correct way of tackling the above • Nepotism – Self-interest above public welfare and service
situation. The women employee needs to rise above career
• Red-tapeism - Complicated and cumbersome procedures
prospects and societal pressure. It may be detrimental for a
and working of public offices should be identified and
short period but in the long run it will make her strong, boost
removed.
her self-respect and confidence. This exemplary behaviour
can be a source of inspiration for many other women • Political Neutrality – Apolitical functioning and duty to act
employees facing situations of sexual harassments. objectively and impartially.
Here, the company management is also at a major fault by • Colonial culture – Training to civil servants for betterment
not forming an internal complain committee as per the of the people to be the primary goal of civil service.
mandates of the Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace • Growing consumerism - Where material possessions,
(Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal) Act, 2013. position and economic power determine the status and
It is not only an individual’s fault but also of an organisation, prestige in the society, civil servants fall easy prey to
society and state as a whole. The organisations giving corrupt practices in order to maintain status in the society.
precedence to profit over moral values is like commerce • Opaque System – Accountability and transparency in
without morality. Society not taking cognizance of issues decision making should be maintained.
related to women shows deep-rooted patriarchy. The state
overlooking the implementation of the law in letter in spirit • Inefficient Grievance redressal mechanism – Timely
shows insensitiveness towards women. Thus, it is a moral resolution with well monitored grievance redressal system
of gender justice for an equitable and just society. • Legislation - Inadequate laws to deal with corruption
CASE-2: In recent times, there has been an increasing • Proper and continuous training to keep civil servants
concern in India to develop effective civil service ethics, code upbeat with evolving administrative challenges
of conduct, transparency measures, ethics and integrity • Instilling competitiveness in civil services for innovative
systems and anti-corruption agencies. In view of this, there is and out of box solutions.
need being felt to focus on three specific areas, which are
• Increase cooperation and coordination among various
directly relevant to the problems of internalizing integrity and
departments by reducing strict hierarchical structure.
ethics in the civil services. These are as follows:
• Infuse social and cultural cohesiveness for inclusive
1. Anticipating specific threats to ethical standards and
development of self and society.
integrity in the civil services;
3. Developing administrative processes and practices
2. Strengthening the ethical competence of civil servant; and
which promote ethical values and integrity in civil
3. Developing administrative processes and practices which services.
promote ethical values and integrity in civil services.
• Making conditions of service attractive - Office holding
Sample Answer: “As human beings, our greatness lies not so should not be source of income rather to render public
much in being able to remake the world - that is the myth of service. It is a good move to implement recommendation
the atomic age - as in being able to remake ourselves” of 7th Pay commission.
Mahatma Gandhi. For a nation aspiring to catch up with the • Simplification of working of government machinery - The
rest of the world it is imperative to internalise professional complicated procedures of government procedures need
ethics and integrity in the civil services. to be evaluated and simplified. Eg. e-governance.
Part Three
Essays
of
the month
Selected essays from Rau’s GSI students
Disclaimer: The viewpoints in the topic are strictly personal of To address the issue of failing health, it is of prime
the writer above. The role of Rau’s IAS Study Circle is to present importance that good quality health care be made available
the write-up in its original form, hence the study circle neither and accessible to the elderly in an age-sensitive manner.
endorses nor rejects any viewpoint in the submission. The Health services should address preventive measures keeping
purpose is only to showcase the manner of writing. in mind the diseases that affect – or are likely to affect – the
communities in a particular geographical region. In addition,
Therefore, it is the sole responsibility of the reader to use
effective care and support is required for those elderly
his/her intellect to check the veracity of viewpoints.
suffering from various diseases through primary, secondary
A large number of people enter ‘old age’ with little, or no, and tertiary health care systems. The cost (to the affected
awareness of what this entails. While demographically, we elderly individual or family) of health has to be addressed so
acknowledge that a person is considered to be old when (s)he that no person is denied necessary health care for financial
attains the age of 60 years, there is no such clear indicator reasons. Rehabilitation, community or home based disability
available to the individual. For each person, there is a turning support and end-of-life care should also be provided where
point after which (s)he feels physiologically or functionally needed, in a holistic manner, to effectively address the issue
‘old’. This event could take place at any age before or after to failing health among the elderly.
the age of 60. Unfortunately, in India, there is almost no
The problem of economic insecurity is faced by the elderly
formal awareness program – even at higher level institutions
when they are unable to sustain themselves financially. Many
or organizations – for people to prepare for old age. For the
older persons either lack the opportunity and/or the capacity
vast majority of people, old age sets in quietly, but suddenly,
to be as productive as they were. Increasing competition
and few are prepared to deal with its issues. Most people
from younger people, individual, family and societal mind
living busy lives during the young and middle age periods
sets, chronic malnutrition and slowing physical and mental
may prefer to turn away from, and not consider, the possible
faculties, limited access to resources and lack of awareness of
realities of their own impending old age.
their rights and entitlements play significant roles in reducing
Thus, the majority of Indians are unaware of the problems, the ability of the elderly to remain financially productive, and
rights and entitlements of older persons. Let us analyse the thereby, independent.
common problems to get prepared in advance for ‘old age’.
Economic security is as relevant for the elderly as it is for
It has been said that “we start dying the day we are born”. those of any other age group. Those who are unable to
The aging process is synonymous with failing health. While generate an adequate income should be facilitated to do so.
death in young people in countries such as India is mainly As far as possible, elderly who are capable, should be
due to infectious diseases, older people are mostly encouraged, and if necessary, supported to be engaged in
vulnerable to non-communicable diseases. Failing health due some economically productive manner. Others who are
to advancing age is complicated by non-availability to good incapable of supporting themselves should be provided with
quality, age-sensitive, health care for a large proportion of partial or full social welfare grants that at least provide for
older persons in the country. In addition, poor accessibility their basic needs. Families and communities may be
and reach, lack of information and knowledge and/or high encouraged to support the elderly living with them through
costs of disease management make reasonable elder care counseling and local self-governance.
beyond the reach of older persons, especially those who are
poor and disadvantaged.
Isolation, or a deep sense of loneliness, is a common The best form of protection from abuse is to prevent it. This
complaint of many elderly is the feeling of being isolated. should be carried out through awareness generation in
While there are a few who impose it on themselves, isolation families and in the communities. In most cases, abuse is
is most often imposed purposefully or inadvertently by the carried out as a result of some frustration and the felt need
families and/or communities where the elderly live. Isolation to inflict pain and misery on others. It is also done to
is a terrible feeling that, if not addressed, leads to tragic emphasize authority. Information and education of groups of
deterioration of the quality of life. people from younger generations is necessary to help
prevent abuse. The elderly should also be made aware of
It is important that the elderly feel included in the goings-on
their rights in this regard.
around them, both in the family as well as in society. Those
involved in elder care, especially NGOs in the field, can play a Where necessary, legal action needs be taken against those
significant role in facilitating this through counseling of the who willfully abuse elders, combined with counseling of such
individual, of families, sensitization of community leaders and persons so as to rehabilitate them. Elderly who are abused
group awareness or group counseling sessions. Activities also require to be counseled, and if necessary rehabilitated to
centered on older persons that involve their time and skills ensure that they are able to recover with minimum negative
help to inculcate a feeling of inclusion. Some of these could impact.
also be directly useful for the families and the communities.
Many older persons live in fear. Whether rational or
The elderly, especially those who are weak and/or dependent, irrational, this is a relevant problem face by the elderly that
require physical, mental and emotional care and support. needs to be carefully and effectively addressed.
When this is not provided, they suffer from neglect, a
Elderly who suffer from fear need to be reassured. Those for
problem that occurs when a person is left uncared for and
whom the fear is considered to be irrational need to be
that is often linked with isolation. Changing lifestyles and
counseled and, if necessary, may be treated as per their
values, demanding jobs, distractions such as television, a shift
needs. In the case of those with real or rational fear, the
to nuclear family structures and redefined priorities have led
cause and its preventive measures needs to be identified
to increased neglect of the elderly by families and
followed by appropriate action where and when possible.
communities. This is worsened as the elderly are less likely to
demand attention than those of other age groups. Boredom is a result of being poorly motivated to be useful or
productive and occurs when a person is unwilling or unable
The best way to address neglect of the elderly is to counsel
to do something meaningful with his/her time. The problem
families, sensitise community leaders and address the issue
occurs due to forced inactivity, withdrawal from
at all levels in different forums, including the print and audio-
responsibilities and lack of personal goals. A person who is
visual media. Schools and work places offer opportunities
not usefully occupied tends to physically and mentally decline
where younger generations can be addressed in groups.
and this in turn has a negative emotional impact. Most
Government and non-government agencies need to take this
people who have reached the age of 60 years or more have
issue up seriously at all these levels. In extreme situations,
previously led productive lives and would have gained several
legal action and rehabilitation may be required to reduce or
skills during their life-time. Identifying these skills would be a
prevent the serious consequences of the problem.
relatively easy task. Motivating them and enabling them to
The elderly are highly vulnerable to abuse, where a person use these skills is a far more challenging process that
is willfully or inadvertently harmed, usually by someone who requires determination and consistent effort by dedicated
is part of the family or otherwise close to the victim. It is very people working in the same environment as the affected
important that steps be taken, whenever and wherever elders.
possible, to protect people from abuse. Being relatively weak,
Many elderly can be trained to carry out productive
elderly are vulnerable to physical abuse. Their resources,
activities that would be useful to them or benefit their
including finances ones are also often misused. In addition,
families, communities or environment; activities that others
the elderly may suffer from emotional and mental abuse for
would often be unable or unwilling to do. Being meaningfully
various reasons and in different ways.
occupied, many of the elderly can be taught to keep boredom
away. For others, recreational activities can be devised and inevitable loss of control. It is also important for society – and
encouraged at little or no additional cost. individuals – to learn to respect people for what they are
instead of who they are and how much they are worth. When
Lowered self-esteem among older persons has a complex
the feeling is severe, individuals and their families may be
etiology that includes isolation, neglect, reduced
counseled to deal with this. Improving the health of the
responsibilities and decrease in value or worth by one-self,
elderly through various levels of health care can also help to
family and/or the society.
improve control. Finally, motivating the elderly to use their
To restore self-confidence, one needs to identify and skills and training them to be productive will help gain
address the cause and remove it. While isolation and neglect respect and appreciation.
have been discussed above, self-worth and value can be
The problem of not being prepared for old age can only be
improved by encouraging the elderly to take part in family
prevented. Awareness generation through the work place is a
and community activities, learning to use their skills,
good beginning with HR departments taking an active role in
developing new ones or otherwise keeping themselves
preparing employees to face retirement and facing old age
productively occupied. In serious situations, individuals – and
issues. For the majority who have unregulated occupations
their families – may require counseling and/or treatment.
and for those who are self-employed, including farmers,
This problem of older persons has many facets. While self- awareness can be generated through the media and also
realization and the reality of the situation is acceptable to through government offices and by NGOs in the field. Older
some, there are others for whom life becomes insecure when people who have faced and addressed these issues can be
they begin to lose control of their resources – physical ‘recruited’ to address groups at various forums to help people
strength, body systems, finances (income), social or prepare for, or cope with, old age.
designated status and decision making powers.
Disclaimer: The viewpoints in the topic are strictly personal ‘I measure the progress of a community by the degree of
of the writer above. The role of Rau’s IAS Study Circle is to progress its women have achieved’ – Dr. B.R. Ambedkar.
political, domestic, psychological sphere and that she is not the household work and as a result women are entrusted
facing a fair deal. This essay attempts to tackle this very with the double burden of doing household work and their
important issue affecting nearly half of our 1.30 billion official employment outside of home. The strong
population. The Indian Constitution itself tried to set up an psychological bias of the Indian male mind, which considers
example, by including as a provision in the Fundamental work inside the household as unworthy and beneath his male
Duties, Article 51A (e), which exhorted society to renounce ego is the reason for this prejudice. A fundamental shift in
practices derogatory to the status of women. this attitude needs to occur if the Indian woman is to get an
honourable treatment as the 21st century working woman.
Any analysis of the status of Indian working women has to
first start by looking at the attitudes prevalent in one of our India is undergoing a transition of sorts in the workplace
prime social institution, the Indian family. atmosphere. From being a society in which economic work
outside the home was conducted solely by men, steady
Women are the prime creators and progenitors of the
strides have been taken forward to bring evermore greater
institution of the family, having bestowed by god the power
women participation in various occupations through the
to beget offspring. For this reason, the position of the mother
spread of literacy, educational opportunities and improved
figure in the Indian cultural sphere is a very strong one and
health indicators. At the time of Independence, female
obtains a lot of respect. Traditionally, women have been seen
literacy rate used to be a paltry 7%. It has now achieved the
as the group responsible for taking care of the children while
respectable figure of 65%. Greater spread of education has
the men are delegated the task of ensuring the financial
brought with it increased awareness about the plight of
stability. So the dominant idea through the centuries seems
Indian women.
to have been the women staying at home to take care of the
child while the father ventures out to work. Household work is officially not considered an ‘economic
good’ and is therefore not included while calculating and
While women are respected for sustaining the family and
estimating the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of goods and
having ‘Shakti’ or mother power, they still seem to be
services produced in a country. This is an extreme injustice as
submissive to their husband’s interests. The Indian working
it implies that the back-breaking work within a house often
woman thus does not seem to be getting a fair deal in
entails to somehow insignificant in the development of a
managing her relationships at home and her work
country. It needs scarcely be reminded that it is only the
commitments. Often, a woman’s wants are subjugated to the
nourishment and hard-work which a woman puts into
interests of her better half in a patriarchal society. But this
bringing up her children and building her home, that go on to
situation gains even more significance in the modern age,
become future architects of the nation.
when substantial women empowerment has resulted in both
the man and woman in the family undertaking profitable While women at workplaces outside the home are seen to be
employment. Even in such cases, the scenario still seems to positively working towards increasing the economic output of
be that a woman must bend herself and accompany her a nation, women inside the home who perform a more
husband to a different place in case of a transfer of the place important task of bringing up the future of the country and
of occupation. nurturing obedient and law-abiding citizens are put down as
simply being ‘housewives’. And women who absorb
The burden of taking care of the household seems to have
themselves in the office are frowned upon for neglecting
been entrusted solely to the women who are responsible for
their family, children and home. It seems that women are
all the manual work from cooking to cleaning the home. It
caught between a rock and a hard place in India.
would not be an exaggeration to say that they are looked
down upon by the male section of the population for failing Whether it be the taking of ‘maternity leave’ to ensure the
to contribute economically to the family. Also, when the tide successful delivery of her child or taking off from work early
has shifted in recent times, with more and more women to care for a sick child at home, these practices are despised
taking up gainful employment outside the confines of the as detrimental to the career progress and prospects of a
home, they are again facing hurdles much to their distress. woman in the male-dominated culture of the workplace.
The menfolk are unwilling to contribute their part to finishing Certain studies have documented the fact that women are
paid much lesser than an equally talented man for Any discussion on the complications faced by the Indian
comparable work, despite the Equal Remuneration Act working woman is incomplete without analysing the socio-
enacted by the Indian Government in 1976. This workplace political and socio-economic problems concerned with the
inequality is narrowing but still persists. employment of rural Indian women. The informal and
unorganized sector accounts for most of the employment
There are women who head Fortune 500 companies. There
numbers in our country. Added to this is the increasing
have been women head of corporations in India as well. The
casualization of the workforce in the wake of the reforms of
ex-chairperson of SBI Arundhati Bhattacharya, Biocon CEO
1991 which ushered in Liberalization, Privatization and
Kiran-Mazumdar Shaw are examples of successful Indian
Globalization. The number of workers employed on a
women. But the supposed ‘glass-ceiling’ exists in various ways
contractual basis has substantially increased. This means
and manifests itself in different forms to prevent women
more job insecurity and a smaller social security net. Women
from rising up to the higher echelons of an organization.
in rural areas thus are affected much more by globalization
Owing to stereotypes, women are evaluated and doubted as
since the informal sector is much larger in rural India than in
to whether they would be suitable to occupy a powerful and
urban India. For example, the influx of cheap agricultural
decision-making position. This ends up as a vicious cycle and
products into the Indian market has affected Indian rural
women do not rise above a particular level in an organization
women landless labourers much more. This is because men
as her care-taking abilities so naturally suited to building a
can be much more mobile in their search for work and
home are not seen as a proper fit in the corporate world. As
migrate to other areas in search of employment. But women
women do not rise up to decision-making positions and are
are bound by societal constraints and family responsibilities,
not hence given a say in appointments, the attitude persists
like taking care of children and old parents. Hence they would
for succeeding generations.
find it difficult to migrate.
Psychological studies have documented that women bring in
The traditional village society may not intervene in what
their own particular skill set and ability to the global business
seems to be a husband wife issue unlike in urban areas
processes and they are an asset to increasing the resource
where modernization and westernization have brought with
allocation to the weaker sections, the women and children.
it increasing assertiveness and confidence to stand up for
They are also credible partners in trying to build a more
one’s rights in the part of the urban Indian woman. Thus, in
equitable society which does not have the huge income
this aspect the condition of the rural Indian woman seems to
inequality which exists presently. The 33% reservation for
be much worse than the urban Indian woman in this case.
women in local government bodies such as panchayats and
municipalities has been documented to have mobilized more True emancipation would be reached when women are given
benefits to women. Similar effect could be observed if the complete freedom to unleash their creative energies.
Women’s Reservation Bill is passed by the Parliament for Financial inclusion of women, Gender-based budgeting,
providing reservation in the central and state legislatures. Micro-finance institutions that promote women
entrepreneurship are a good start. The Self-Employed
India is benefited every year by the number of women who
Women’s Association is undertaking a stellar role in this field.
enter its administrative and police services and other allied
Rural women should be empowered to be economically
government services. Their entry will pave the way for a
independent of their husbands. Until then, Indian rural and
government which identifies and takes care of inclusive
urban women would be facing a multitude of problems on
development. But, the basic struggle of juggling their work at
the home and work front and would not be getting a fair deal.
home and the office may still persist, if a shift in the societal
behaviour does not occur. It is an ordeal for the working The political sphere can also be considered to be a workplace
woman to obtain safe and unmolested conduct from the of sorts and a public service office. If our country has such
workplace to home. The public environment is so vitiated flourishing women political leaders it is equally possible to
against single women caught alone without male support attain equality in all workplaces in the country. The
that female freedom is intensely circumscribed in India. Prevention of Sexual Harassment at the Workplace Act, 2013
is a good step in this direction. In accordance with our liberal
democratic constitution, India has had female heads of State
and women Chief Ministers. Thus in a sense, Eastern Increased women participation in the political sphere, paid
civilization can be conceived to be much more liberal in maternity leave, day care centres for children, baby care
accepting women leaders in the political sphere. But in centres or crèches at the workplace, increased gender
contradiction to this, the status of crime against women in sensitization are some of the steps can be taken to improve
the developed western world is much lesser than Indian the status of women. Importantly, the next generation of
conditions. children must be made sensitive to the hardships faced by
their mothers at the home and workplace. This would
Indian culture provides glimpses of a time when women were
improve the poor ranking of India in the Gender Inequality
liberated and there existed a much more egalitarian society
Index.
than what is now. Examining the position in ancient India it is
clear from the evidence in the Rig-Veda, the earliest literature Lastly, today’s working women require the support of
of the Indo-Aryans, that women held an honourable place in employers, in-laws, life partners to help her contribute in the
early Indian society. There were a few Rig Vedic hymns wholesome productivity of the society and nation. The day is
composed by women. Women had access to the highest not long off when this shift will occur and change the status
knowledge and could participate in all religious ceremonies. of Indian women for the better.
In domestic life too she was respected and there is no
As Rabindranath Tagore had sung not long ago, ‘Where the
suggestion of seclusion of women and child marriage.
mind is without fear and the head held high; …….into
Buddhism also accorded to women a position approximating
that heaven of freedom my father, let my country
to equality. The highest spiritual states were within the reach
awake.’
of both men and women and the latter needed no masculine
assistance or priestly intermediary to achieve them.
Disclaimer: The viewpoints in the topic are strictly personal of nephew, Spiderman. Of course, Peter Parker’s Spiderman
the writer above. The role of Rau’s IAS Study Circle is to present was advised and yes, very wisely by his uncle when he
the write-up in its original form, hence the study circle neither revealed that he got superpowers. Power is such a
endorses nor rejects any viewpoint in the submission. The complicated and wily thing that it can be used to do miracles
purpose is only to showcase the manner of writing. and to cause chaos of all kinds. And that aspect of power
makes it entirely necessary to be cautious while executing all
Therefore, it is the sole responsibility of the reader to use
forms of it – be it legitimate or otherwise.
his/her intellect to check the veracity of viewpoints.
The power structure of our present day world order
With great power comes greater responsibility. describes for us its unending cruel politics and umpteen
Voltaire said it first. And most of the young layers of it that increase with each day. It is the powerful who
people from our generation know it from Uncle make the other: the powerless, the weak and the subaltern. It
Ben as in his famous advice to his more famous is the powerful who transforms the so called powerless to
new forms of power too. It is this magic of the concept that meticulously? Big nations use their rhetoric and military
makes it one of the most covetous words on earth- say like - power against the developing ones, and eat away the fair
to be the most powerful on earth, in the country, among the share of the other half of the world’s natural resources. The
nations and the list goes on. powerful ones keep on harming nature causing imbalances in
the natural cycles. Of course we have many new climate deals
Human sciences have different takes on power and its
to be proud of. We have attended many summits, wrote and
politics. Feminists have decried the foul played by men, by
signed many deals, spoke mellifluous and loud words in
objectifying or mystifying or side-lining them to the
virtual and real world, sent scientists to space and arctic and
peripheries or margins of world map. Even nature has power
are hoping to have the best results out of our actions.
and the ferociousness of it often has baffled man. Perhaps
Nevertheless, climate suffers. Something has not been done
nature had taught men to be responsible with power. The
right. Chaos of the post-modern mind suggests just that.
mischief of nature that has caused ravages in no time to
Power that lacks a sense of accountability has slackened
man’s material possessions might have made thinkers like
man’s concern to listen to the other side of every problem. It
Voltaire to associate responsibility with power.
has made each and every one among us myopic in our vision.
Our world is in a crisis caused by the power games that we
The other side of the story has a totally different side to
played in the past centuries. There are the powerful and the
display. The efforts of the weak and the marginalised sections
powerless who are unfortunately pitted against each other to
of the world to retaliate however show its inability to adhere
gain triumph over the other. America remains the world’s
to an acceptable path. They transgress from the non-violent,
most powerful political power but sans its riches and has lost
peaceful and constitutional paths of grievance redressing to
some of its sheen to the economic crises. Terrorism and
extremely radical and violent ones. Of course there always
counter terrorism, war and retaliation, debt and borrowing,
has been exceptions. But the retaliations of the powerless
capital punishment of the state and beheading by the
have become so huge to the extent that the voices unheard
terrorist groups, organised terror and state organised crime
so far cannot be considered as insignificant. They defy norms
are different connotation of power. It is the common people
and customs and are destroying the peace of the world
who suffer by the blatant display of power by a meagre
order. Change is so inevitable and it occurs at the turn of
section of the world’s people, who holds it. And people end
every century. The terrorist organisations like Al Qaeda and
up swiping the screen in their hands and express their
ISIS from the Middle East and Africa and its likes in the South
confusion over the conflicts of interests people have on
Asia resist the hegemony of west. They defy the ideals of
world’s issues. Like it or share it, there is no other better
democracy that has denied them their share of power. LTTE
option; tech savvy population complains. We live in a fast
which has started its operations as a rebel group has turned
changing and bewildering world where every citizen has
to militant organisation and was uprooted. Israel redraws its
power in his/ her fingertips. We live in the age of social
boundary along with notions of democracy and definition of
networking and hence new forms of empowerment have
diplomacy. Who is to blame and who are all responsible? The
been enabled with the development of communication
irony is nobody seems to be.
technology. Arab spring has blossomed out of a few mobile
phones. It has turned the power structure of the Middle East We need to rethink why one percent of world’s population
overnight; how it has ended a couple of kingdoms and their keeps with it 99 percent of worlds wealth or why the concept
monarchs. Misuse of power was terminated by another form of a multipolar world does not click equally in every corner of
of power that has revolted the masses against the corrupt the world. The world has evolved into a global village as the
practices of the privileged. advocates of globalisation preach, but has failed to accept the
individuality of every ethnic, cultural or religious group that
Yes, as the saying goes power corrupts and absolute power
comes under it. That is where the fault lies. The developed
corrupts absolutely. Where did the responsible part of
world or the ruling elite have become so powerful and selfish
humanity go? Where did the morality go? And when did
to the extent that they find the world as unipolar. The world
ideologies start creeping into the corridors of power, that
affairs serve to promote the interests of the ruling class
have started discarding dissent so callously as radical, rather
rather than them serving the world. The dichotomy between
than attending to the concerns of the dissenters
the haves and have nots has reached such a level that it society movements that has helped to keep the perspective
betrays our conscience. in check. Liberal societies like America, Europe and even India
has helped in triggering debates on universal topics like
World belongs to every species that lives on it. Hence the
women’s right, child labour, poverty, nuclear safety, climate
powerful on earth should be more responsible. Let’s save our
change etc. The present century has witnessed a number of
planet for generations to come. The pristine nature has lost
struggles and movements that force the power structure to
its glory due to rampant developmental actions. Man has
check its efficiency. There were struggles in America against
failed to find that judicious midway that could possibly save
the Iraq invasion, protests during Wall Street crisis and the
nature as well as promote development. Climate talks despite
consequences of which have broken the age old tradition of
Paris is not taken seriously. Developing nations like India and
racial discrimination while electing the head of the country in
others accuse developed nations of opportunism and
the hope that things will change for them.
insensitivity to the needs of under developed and poor
nations. The developed ones refuse to decrease their carbon With respect to India, the large share of power bequeathed to
emissions citing their own genuine domestic reasons. The the hands of the full majority government adds to its
irresponsible and fast paced industrialisation in the 60s and responsibility. Let the fabric of the country remain unaltered
70s by the U.S., the U.K. and the likes has taken us to a and be in continued poise. Let the hard gained and legitimate
situation that makes the whole world vulnerable to disasters. power acquired by the government be instrumental in
We live under the imminent threats of floods and cyclones or developing our future. Let the dissent be heard and attended
global warming. The same logic applies to every aspect of to. Let its youth be alerted about the responsibility associated
modern life. It shows how the reckless, irresponsible and with power and let their energy be channelized to better use.
insensitive use of power has led to hegemony – real and Let anarchy ends and responsibility thrives. Let power be
virtual. shared responsibly and wisely.
Disclaimer: The viewpoints in the topic are strictly personal India’s challenge on employment is getting
of the writer above. The role of Rau’s IAS Study Circle is to tougher and tougher. Employment is now
present the write-up in its original form, hence the study regarded by many as the central long-term
challenge facing the country. India has a low
circle neither endorses nor rejects any viewpoint in the
labour force participation rate (LFPR) by world standards.
submission. The purpose is only to showcase the manner of
LFPR is defined as the number of persons looking for a job as
writing.
a proportion of the working age population (age group 15-
Therefore, it is the sole responsibility of the reader to use 59). As per International Labour Organisation (ILO) estimates,
his/her intellect to check the veracity of viewpoints. the world LFPR was around 61.9% in 2017 whereas the
corresponding number for India is just 53.7%. In 2015-16, the
LFPR for males in India was 75.5%, while that for females was textiles and apparel and garments. The nature of the package
a meagre 27.4%. will need to be individually designed for each sector defined
as quickly as possible.
Recent data has highlighted that unemployment is highest in
last 45 years and this brings into picture the importance of An export promotion programme focusing exclusively on
livelihood growth in our country which is rich in demographic labour-intensive exports is needed for India to expand in the
dividend and having diversified skills based labour force. global value chains. Export markets are the major source of
demand for labour-intensive products.
Vulnerable employment is often characterized by inadequate
earnings, low productivity and difficult conditions of work There is a need to address infrastructure and credit
that undermine workers' fundamental rights. In India, a constraints, land-acquisition constraints, skill constraints, and
significant proportion of the jobs created in the services the numerous and onerous bureaucratic obstacles to the
sector over the past couple of decades have been in ‘ease of doing business’ that deter the growth of firms,
traditional low value-added services, where informality and particularly the small labour-intensive firms that numerically
vulnerable forms of employment are often dominant. dominate industry and services.
Similarly, the rapid growth of ICT services in recent years in
A major factor underlying the weak demand for low-skilled
some emerging countries, notably India, has not generated
labour in the organized sector is India’s labour laws and
enough employment opportunities for the large majority of
regulations, which are some of the most rigid in the world.
the population. In India, for example, the share of informal
For any firm that employs more than a hundred workers, the
employment has risen within almost all manufacturing
Industrial Disputes Act makes retrenchment of jobs legally
industries, partly as a result of labour market rigidities
impossible without prior government permission. The Act
preventing modern manufacturing from creating
makes even flexible redeployment of labour within an
employment opportunities. Hence, the quality of jobs is a
enterprise very difficult. One legal way round is to employ
critical part about the employment challenge.
contract labour. But contract labour leads to poor-quality
The crux of the problem is the shortage of ‘good jobs’ that jobs. Moreover, the Contract Labour Act prohibits the
have high labour productivity and therefore provide decent employment of contract labour in ‘core’ activities.
incomes. Such jobs are largely to be found in the organized
Labour market reform would be possible only it was
sector, while most workers are bottled up in the unorganized
negotiated with trade unions as part of a deal that includes
sector. In the absence of social security, households accept
more generous severance benefits, a better overall safety
any employment if no quality jobs are available. This leads to
net, and more effective schemes for job-search and training,
low wages and no severance pay. While public discussions on
in other words, some strengthening of income security in
jobs have increased, discussions on labour reforms have not
exchange for some weakening of extreme job security. In the
been taken up with equal vigour. Sticky labour laws and
Union Budget 2017-18, the government announced that
difficult business environment have led to employers shifting
legislative reforms will be undertaken to simplify, rationalise
their new hiring in favour of contract labour where social
and amalgamate the existing labour laws into 4 Codes on (i)
security is much lesser. Hence, the focus should be on how to
wages; (ii) industrial relations; (iii) social security and welfare;
increase employment for low-skilled workers in the organized
and (iv) safety and working conditions.
sector. We need to raise quality jobs, the social security
offered and at the same time we need to improve labour laws Infrastructure investment by the government always creates
to ensure that markets allocate labour efficiently. This will, in many jobs. Thus, an engagement between the Urban
true sense, promote inclusive growth in the country. Development and MSME Ministries is necessary as it will
attract more investment to industrial clusters, which is where
So what can the policymakers do to revive job growth?
most non-agricultural jobs are.
Special packages are needed for labour-intensive industries
As reflected by the low female labour force participation rate,
to create jobs. There are a number of labour intensive
there is a strong need for create jobs for women across all
manufacturing sectors in India such as food processing,
sectors. Promoting entrepreneurship by women will have a
leather and footwear, wood manufacturers and furniture,
multiplier effect on employment creation.